Good morning to all.  When I came across with this kind of news, it didn’t let the day pass that I’m not reading this kind.  I hope they are always having some kind of this thoughts so that there will be peace in the world.

The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) in Belgium organised a dinner celebration here to promote cultural and religious harmony within the Indian community, and with other communities in Belgium.

Addressing the event Saturday night, India’s new ambassador to Belgium, Jaimini Bhagwati, said it was a great and magnificent idea to get the three large faiths of India – Hinduism, Islam and Christianity – to celebrate together, reports EuAsiaNews.

He congratulated the organisers of the Diwali-Eid-Christmas Dinner Celebration.

Bhagwati also referred to the recent visit of King Albert II of Belgium to India and the growing relationship between Brussels and New Delhi.

GOPIO president Sunil Prasad said that Diwali and Eid were celebrated over a month ago and although Christmas is still more than a month away, we ‘are in the full spirit of X’mas celebration’.

Diwali is regarded as one of the most important festival of the Hindu calendar, Eid for the Muslim calendar and Christmas for the Christian calendar.

Prasad said that it was the largest gathering of our community members under one roof that has been conducted in Belgium this year.

‘This amazing event was a record-breaking success and was enjoyed by all,’ he said.

The event was accompanied by live Indian music, magic show and tambola followed by Indian food.

Janmashtami, one of the most popular festivals of Hindus celebrates the birth of their beloved God, Sri Krishna. Detailed story of Janmashtami or Lord Krishna’s birth has been narrated in Puranas. Please read on to know more about the various fascinating aspects of the legend of Janmashtami as stated in Puranas.

Mathura, a prominent town of Northern India and the birth city of Sri Krishna was ruled by King Ugrasen, a Yaduvanshi ( Belonging to the Community of Yadavs). He was a great king loved by his subjects. He had two children, a son Kansa and a daughter Devki. Kansa was quite cruel by nature, his wickedness knew no bounds when he jailed his father and forcefully became the king of Mathura.

When is Janmashtami? 

Janmashtami 2008 is on August 24th
Janmashtami celebrates the birth of one of the most famous Gods of Hindu religion, Bhagwan Krishna, on the eighth day (Ashtami) in the month of Sravana or Savana. Lord Sri Krishna was born on the ‘Rohini’ nakshatram (star). It is generally celebrated in the month of August-September according to the Christian Calendar. Legend has it that Sri Krishna was born on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule and atrocities of his maternal uncle, Kansa.

Position of Stars at the time of Birth

It was only on the eighth day of the second fortnight, in the month of Sravana when, the moon entered the house of Vrishabha in Rohini Nakshatra (star) that Lord appeared. According to Barhapatyamana, the month of Sravana corresponds to the month of Bhadrapada Krishnapaksha. Lord was born in the year of Visvavasu, appx. 5,227 years ago.

Celebrated for over Two Days

Janmashtami is celebrated for over two days as “Rohini” nakshatra and Ashtami may not fall on the same day. The first day known as Krishnashtami, as the birth of Bhagwan Krishna falls on the eighth day after Raksha Bandhan, which generally falls in the month of August. The second day is known as Kalashtami.

Welcome the Lord at Midnight

It is only at midnight between the first and the second day that birth of Sri Krishna took place. The actual festivities begin during midnight in this 48 hour period. The celebration reaches its peak at midnight, with the birth of Lord Krishna, with lot of hymns, arti taking place and blowing of the Conch (shankh), rocking the cradle of Lord. The idol of lord is bathed with Panchamrit (A mixture of milk, ghee, oil, honey and Gangajal). The Panchamrit is later distributed as Prasad to the devotees along with other sweets. While some Fast on the first day and break it at midnight for others the fasting continues for both days. The period coincides with rainy season.

Legend of Janmashtami and  Rituals and Customs of Janmashtami will be in next post.

Good Morning Friends, Tuesday 5th Aug, 2008.

Every Tuesday we are having satsang at Dadaji’s house from 6-00am to 7-30am. Today the topice was Shree Yogeshbhai Sastri’s Bhagavt Kaatha. Within that Kaath i hear satsang on Lord Krishna’s Goverdhan Lila. It was really nice way to start my tuesday.

At 9-00 am i reach officer and till now i m working too.