Jhaankis

Janmashtami jhankis or Janmashtami tableaux makes the celebration merrier and more exciting. It is indeed, one of the most vital aspects of the Janmashtami celebrations. The Indian heritage brims with a pantheon of Gods and Goddesses. People believe that there are celestial powers and that it plays an influential role in our lives. And among all the deities the most loves is Lord Krishna. Hence, people celebrate Janmashtami with pomp, enthusiasm and special Janmashtami tableaux or jhankis. The word jhanki means to look into the past. Hence, Janmashtami jhankis are arranged on the different themes relating to the past life of the Lord Krishna, his childhood, boyhood, his raas leela and other incidents of his life. The most important arrangement for Janmashtami celebration is that of baby Krishna. Hence, special stress is given on jhankis showing scenes from Lord Krishna s childhood. Besides, devotees also make beautiful jhulans or cradles for the baby Bal Gopal. Janmashtami jhankis or Janmashtami tableaux makes the celebration merrier and more exciting. It is indeed, one of the most vital aspects of the Janmashtami celebrations. The Indian heritage brims with a pantheon of Gods and Goddesses. People believe that there are celestial powers and that it plays an influential role in our lives. And among all the deities the most loves is Lord Krishna. Hence, people celebrate Janmashtami with pomp, enthusiasm and special Janmashtami tableaux or jhankis. The word jhanki means to look into the past. Hence, Janmashtami jhankis are arranged on the different themes relating to the past life of the Lord Krishna, his childhood, boyhood, his raas leela and other incidents of his life. The most important arrangement for Janmashtami celebration is that of baby Krishna. Hence, special stress is given on jhankis showing scenes from Lord Krishna s childhood. Besides, devotees also make beautiful jhulans or cradles for the baby Bal Gopal.

Some other Janmashtami jhankis include: Kaliya Mardan (killing the black snake Kaliya Naga or serpent) Kansha Vadha (killing Kansha) Lifting the Govardhan Parvat (Mount Govardhan) Actually, jhankis are the miniature representation of a village made of clay where the humans are represented by dolls, men and women. They are beautifully clad with embroidered and bejeweled lehangas, dhotis and kurtas. In the evening, streets are filled with children and people in order to get the glimpse of these jhankis. Illuminated by colored lights and decked up with flowers, the human jhanjis as well as doll jhankis look really amazing and wonderful. People across the world come to see these Janmashtami jhanki procession. Check out some of the most popular Janmashtami jhankis on the festival of Janmashtami: Birth of Lord Krishna Jhanki Vasudev carrying baby Madan Mohan (name of the God) across River Yamuna Jhanki Exchange of Lord Krishna with the Baby Girl Jhanki King Kansa killing the Baby Girl Jhanki Baby Krishna in a Cradle in Gokul Jhanki