The sacred festival of Janmashtami is entirely dedicated to the worship and celebration of Lord Krishna. On this auspicious day, devotees enthusiastically perform ritualistic worship of Laddu Gopal during the prescribed auspicious muhurtas. They offer the deity his favorite delicacies, bathe him with panchamrit at midnight, and perform aarti with utmost devotion. Understanding the correct sequence of aartis and knowing their exact lyrics helps enhance the spiritual experience of the celebration.
The Role of Lord गणेश and Worship Order
According to traditional customs, the worship on Janmashtami begins by first paying respects and performing the aarti of Lord Ganesha. Only after completing the initial prayers to Ganesha do devotees proceed to sing the aartis dedicated to Lord Krishna. Following this precise sequence helps remove obstacles and ensures the sanctity of the rituals. The primary hymn sung during this time is the timeless composition starting with Aarti Kunjbihari Ki, Shri Giridhar Krishna Murari Ki.
Detailed Verses of Aarti Kunjbihari Ki
The iconic aarti paints a vivid picture of the divine form of the Lord, adorned with a vaijayanti garland around his neck while playing a sweet flute. His earrings sparkle, and he is celebrated as the absolute joy of Nanda. The verses describe his dark complexion resembling the evening sky, accompanied by Radhika glowing beside him. Standing amidst the creepers, he wears a musk tilak on his forehead, reflecting a moon-like radiance that captivates every observer.
The description continues with golden peacock feathers on his crown, a sight that even celestial beings yearn to witness as flowers shower down from the heavens. The rhythm of mridanga and murchang echoes alongside the gopis and cowherds, celebrating the divine love of Shyam. References to the sacred Ganga and the cleansing of sins are woven into the verses. The banks of Vrindavan shine under the moonlight where cows, gopis, and cowherds gather, and the Lord listens to the cries of the distressed.
Timing and Supplementary Hymns
The aarti for Lord Krishna on Janmashtami is traditionally performed twice a day. The first aarti takes place in the morning, while the main aarti is conducted precisely at midnight. This timing corresponds to the belief that Sri Krishna was born at the midnight hour, making the night celebrations the focal point of the festival. Alongside the primary aartis, devotees also chant devotional lines dedicated to Banke Bihari, expressing the deep bond of love and surrender between the devotee and the divine.
