JANMASHTAMI LOKMELA AT AMRELI – JAFARABAD, SAVARKUNDLA, DHARI, RAJULA, AND BAGASARA

Janmashtami is celebrated to mark the birth of lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Janmashtami is also known as Krishnashtami or Gokulashtami to the devotees of Lord Krishna. The festival falls during the Hindu month of Bhadrapada on the Ashtami date. Dance-drama to enact the life of Krishna, devotional singing through the midnight when Krishna was born are part of the Janmashtami celebration. Dahi Handi is also an important ritual of the celebration where devotees break an earthen pot filled with yogurt, the day after Krishna Janmashtami. Human pyramid trying to break a high hanging earthen pot is a part of great joys at the occasion. Eatables along with milk and curd are prepared to make offering to Krishna. Joyful reciting of Krishna's name takes place in quite a few places of the district. Overall, it is worth to be part of the gathering to enjoy the heavenly experience.During this time, every year fairs and Lok melas are organized at various places of Amreli district to observe the holy festival. It includes places like Jafarabad, Savarkundla, Dhari, Rajula, and Bagasara. People from different areas visit the fairs to experience the grandeur of the occasion. The visitors enjoy every bit of the celebration; it includes joy rides, delicious food stalls, art and cultural activities. Succulent snacks like Dhokla, Fafda, Samosa, Pathra and sweet dishes like Mohanthal, Jalebi, Doodh Pak are the foremost attraction to the food lovers.