Gokul Ashtami

Gokul Ashtami is widely celebrated in Maharashtra and especially in Mumbai. It is celebrated on the day when Lord Krishna was born, in the month of August. It is said in Hindu mythology that lord Krishna was born to kill the demon Kansa and eradicate all the evils from earth. Hence the birth of Lord Krishna has a great significance in Hindu mythology and his birth is celebrated throughout the country.

On the Gokul Ashtami people gather together to worship lord Krishna by reciting from Bhagvat Gita and also by singing bhajans. People keep fast on the day before the main festival till midnight, when it is believed that Krishna was born. After the Puja is over people gather together to eat the Prashad, which is strictly made of vegetables.

The favorite part of this festival is the “Matki Phorna” ceremony. An earthen pot filled with honey, curd, fruits and butter is hung at a very high level sometimes even at a height of 40 feet from the ground. People climb on each others shoulder to make a huge pyramid and reach the earthen pot to beak it. There are several competitions of breaking these earthen pots held all over the state.