THE HINDUS OF INDONESIA’S MOST POPULOUS ISLAND, Java,

BY RAJIV MALIK, JAVA, INDONESIA

JAVA HAS BEEN A PART OF HINDU TRADItion since ancient times, finding first mention in theRamayana as Yawadvipa. It was one of the many places that Sugriva, ruler of the monkey kingdom of Kishkindha, sent his men to search for Lord Rama’s wife, Sita, after her abduction by Ravana. For thousands of years it has been depicted in the Ramlila dance dramas (and lately in television serials) as a huge, lushly green forested area and known as such to every Indian child.

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Happy Janmashtami 2012! Aug 9th in the Western world (US) and Aug 10th in the Eastern world (Europe/India)

Namaste, Hari Om,

Wishing you and your families a happy Krishna Janmashtami.

For the western world it should approx begin at 430pm on Thursday Aug 9th 2012,  and for Europe and Asia it will be on Aug 10th 2012 since that region is about 6-12hrs ahead.

It is a great time to reflect on the love and stories of Lord Krishna, from reading the beloved Gita to the Mahabharat, there are endless ways to reflect.

Many families go to temple and come home in time to rock a baby Krishna in a small rocking-bed, some fast and perform puja in his name. And some sing bhajans to conjure the love that they have.

What ever you do, and how ever you do it, always keep the love alive and the feelings.

The birth of Lord Krishna can be found here, http://hinduism.about.com/od/lordkrishna/p/krishna_birth.htm, a great article by Subhamoy Das.

Furthermore nice songs and mantras are also available throughout the internet.

The day after Krishna Janmashtami is called Dahi handi during Nanda Utsav. Its where people form human pyramids to get the Dahi out of the high hanging clay pot, just as Lord Krishna did as a young boy.

Enjoy with fun and love for all,

Jai Shri Krishna,
SimpleHinduBhai