HINDU TEMPLE  OF KENTUCKY

       P.O Box 22813, 4213 Accomack Drive,  Louisville, KY 40252
TEL# (502) 429-8888

Sri Krishna Jayanthi - also known as Gokulashtami or Janmashtami, is the birthday of Lord Krishna. This year, it falls on Sunday, August 12, 2001. This festival is celebrated with great pomp and show throughout the country. Temples hold special poojas and devotees throng to the temples to get the blessings of the Lord. 

The houses are also decorated with special care. Patterns of small feet, drawn with rice flour are made, leading from the house entrance to the puja room, where the idol of Lord Krishna is kept. This symbolises the baby Krishna coming to his devotees' house to bless them and leaving behind his footsteps.

Special dishes like murukku, seedai, vella seedai, thengozhal, payasam are all made and offered to the Lord. In the evening, usually a special pooja is done to mark the occasion and people ask one another "krishnar onga veetukku vandacha?" (Has Krishna come to your house?). Kids are also dressed up as Krishna and Radha (young Krishna's lady love at Brindavan).