According to the Hindu religion, the legend Kansa was regarded as the bad king in the Mathura region. Kansa was murdered by Lord Vishnu in his eight incarnation as Lord Krishna. Who also freed his parents and grandfather from the Kansa region and imprisonment. The festival of Kansa Vadh commemorates the triumph of Dharma over Adharma and the abolition of evil from the universe. The day is cherished with great fervor and excitement in the state of Uttar Pradesh in Mathura.
Good always triumphs over bad. The Hindu religion consists of a few festivals to celebrate this wonderful sight. But here we are talking about Radha Krishna’s beautiful Leela and the occurrence of Kansha Vadh. It is indeed a day when virtue defeats evil as Kansa was killed by Lord Krishna. These events mark the return of King Ugrasen to his former ruling authority in India. The Dashmi Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in Kartik month is observed on the day of Kansa Vadh.
Who is King Kansa?
Firstly we talk about King Kansa, He was the king of Mathura, and he was the maternal uncle of Shri Krishna. According to the legend Janmashtami is celebrated as the birth of Lord Krishna. He was the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu to slay the cruel King Kansa. Since he was evil in thinking Kansa imprisoned his father King Ugrasen. Then he forcefully became a self-proclaimed king of Mathura. Kansa tortured his subjected who feared him. Even the cowherds of Mathura, and neighboring villages named Gokul, Barsana and Nandgaon were not spared. They were victimized so much that they had to surrender to his tyrannical ways.
Rituals followed on the Day of Kansa Vadh
- Devotees perform puja and pay their regards to Radha and Krishna on the day of Kansa Vadh. They also prepare a variety of sweets and treats to appease the divine.
- People make the idol of Kansa and put it on fire to portray the triumph of virtue over vice. This also symbolizes that evil lives for a short time and truth always wins at last.
- On this day follower in huge number carry out aa parade and recite the holy mantra: Hare Rama Hare Krishna.
- Various cultural programs are held in all the regions of Mathura. They include music and dance performances, drams, and story. Kansa Vadh Leela is a well-known act that portrays the killing of Kansa. People take great delight in witnessing the skit.
Story of Kansa Vadh By Shri Krishna
The followers of Lord Krishna see the occurrence of Kansa Vadh with a holy as well as virtuous significance. This is because of the occasion which marks the victory of good over evil. In the Hindu scriptures, Kansa is mentioned as the doer of many sins and dharma when he was a king. But destiny had announced his killing by the 8th son of his sister Devaki. Knowing this he put his sister and her husband in jail. He kept on killing their offspring once they were born.
After a long time, Bhagwan Krishna took birth, he was saved despite the attempt of Kansa. The night when the Lord was born, and he was taken to the home of Yashoda Maiya and Nanda who stay in vrindavan. But all the efforts of Kansa to assassination of Lord Krishna were going in vain one after the other. Then ultimately Shri Krishna conquered Kansa as an embodiment of Lord Vishnu and freed his parents from imprisonment. This marked the conclusion of all the wrongful act and establishment of the King Ugrasen as the rulers of Mathura, and then people start celebrating this day as ‘Kansa Vadh’ since then.
Significance of Kansa Vadh in Hindu Mythology
According to the ancient Hindu scripts Kansa was an immoral king who reigned over the area of Mathura. He was put to death by Lord Vishnu’s 8th incarnation Shri Krishna. As a result, he freed his parents and grandparents who were under the captivity of Kansa. Thus, it led to the celebration of Kansa Vadh, where evil was destroyed with the reinstatement of morality in this universe. Hindus also refer to it as the winning of Dharma over Adharma.
People of India especially from Uttar Pradesh in Mathura Celebrated this day in larges scale and with great vigor. The Chaturvedi community observed this occasion mainly. The Chaturvedi terms indicate a person who knows 4 Vedas. Moreover, members of a particular group who have moved to another religion in India can visit their homeland Mathura to celebrate this day. This special event enables them to reunite with their Samaj and meet their close people.
This festival is celebrated during the month of Kartik on the day of Shukla Dashami. Hence, the people of the Chaturvedi community perform various rituals throughout the 10 days after Diwali.
After the Kansa Vadh observed as Devuthana Ekadashi. People do three parikramas in the region of Braj on this day. Mathura, Vrindavan, and Garun Govind are the three towns included in this way. The tradition will continue actively by the people of Mathura on the following day of Kansa Vadh.
Conclusion
Kansa Vadh is celebrated during the month of Kartik on the day of Shukla Dashami. This festival falls in November after 10 days of Diwali. The celebration of Kansa Vadh, where evil was destroyed with the reinstatement of morality in this universe. Hindus also refer to it as the winning of Dharma over Adharma.
