It’s that time of the year when we celebrate another birthday. No mere human’s — we are referring to Lord Krishna’s birthday!
Celebrated and revered for his mischief, childlike demeanour and deep wisdom, many South Indian homes begin the festivities by getting their floors anointed with little footprints hand-drawn in rice flour – as they celebrate the child Krishna believed to be visiting their homes.
The footprints drawn would be depicted to emerge from the kolam at the home’s entrance and lead up to the Poojai room right to where a picture or statue of Lord Krishna would be decorated and ready for worship.
The household would get ready to welcome the little Lord as per Hindu belief, and special snacks, sweets and savouries as the little Lord Krishna would like (!) would be prepared and ready for the whole family to relish after offering HIM. Some popular Krishna Jayanthi snacks are thattai, cheedai, murukku, jaggery and sugar with puffed rice.
The highlights of this occasion are mainly the songs sung in praise and affection of Lord Krishna, together with the artistic footprints depicting the little feet of Krishna, and of course the yummy goodies.
