Madhya Pradesh

• 27 Aug 2024

Madhya Pradesh to Develop Places Associated with Deities

Why in News?

On the occasion of Janmashtami, the Madhya Pradesh government has decided to develop places connected to the two revered deities Lord Ram and Krishna.

Key Points

• Madhya Pradesh has a glorious history as Lord Ram spent 11 years in the state while Lord Krishna got education in Acharya Sandipani Ashram in Ujjain.
• The initiative to establish 'Geeta Bhawans' in various urban areas of the state aims to promote the study of Lord Krishna.

Janmashtami

• Janmashtami, also called Gokulashtami or Shrikrishna Jayanti, is a major Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.
• It is celebrated on the Ashtami (eighth day) of Krishna Paksha in the Bhadrapada month of the lunisolar Hindu calendar, usually in August or September.
• One of the key highlights of Janmashtami is the "Dahi Handi" event.

Acharya Sandipani Ashram

• Ancient Ujjain, apart from its political and religious importance, was a prestigious center of learning at the beginning of the Mahabharata period.
• Lord Krishna and Sudama received regular education in the ashram of Guru Sandipani.
  • The area near the ashram is known as Ankpat, a place believed to have been used by Lord Krishna to wash his writings.
• The numbers 1 to 100 found on a stone are believed to have been engraved by Guru Sandipani.
• The Gomti Kund mentioned in the Puranas was the source of water supply to the ashram in the olden days.
• The followers of the Vallabh sect consider this place as the 73^rd seat out of the 84 seats of Vallabhacharya where he gave his discourses across India.