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One of the important aspects of the Janmashtami celebrations is the jhankis or the tableau, depicting the different stages of Lord Krishna's childhood. The word 'Jhanki' means looking into the past life and on the occasion of Janmashtami it means to look into the life of Lord Krishna.
Jhankis are the miniature representation of a village made of clay where the humans are represented by dolls dressed up as kids, men and women with lehangas, chunnis, dhotis and kurtas. The most common jhankis on the festival of Janmashtami are the following:
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Birth of Lord Krishna Jhanki
In this jhanki the birth of Lord Krishna is depicted in the prison cell of Mathura. Dolls dressed up as Lord Krishna, Mother Devki And Vasudev are used.
Vasudev carrying Baby Krishna across river Yamuna Jhanki
In this Jhanki Vasudev the father of Lord Krishna is shown to carry him in a basket across the river Yamuna to Gokul. An artificial snake is used in the jhanki to depict Sheshnag. Legend says that Sheshnag, the serpent of Lord Vishnu protected baby Krishna from rain.
Exchange of Lord Krishna with the Baby Girl Jhanki
This Jhanki shows Vasudev bringing back a baby girl with him, while leaving Lord Krishna in Gokul, in the safe hands of his friend Nand.
King Kansa killing the Baby Girl Jhanki
This Jhanki shows the King Kansa killing the newborn baby girl in the prison and the baby vanishing into thin air warning the king that his destroyer has been born and is in safe hands.
Baby Krishna in a Cradle in Gokul Jhanki
In this Jhanki the Lord Krishna is shown in a cradle in Gokul, growing up with Yashoda and Nand.
Killing of King Kansa
One of the popular Jhankis of the Janmashtami is the depiction showing the killing of King Kansa. It is said that Lord Krishna caught hold of his maternal uncle Kansa by his hair and threw him from the platform killing him with bare hands.
Killing Of Kaliya Serpent Jhanki
One of the important incidents associated with the life of Lord Krishna is the killing of the Kaliya Nag during his childhood. The snake was dreaded in Gokul. This Kaliya Nag used to live in a lake and would kill anyone who came near the lake or touched the water. Lord Krishna killed this snake bringing respite to the entire village.
Lifting of Govardhan Hill Jhanki
One more Jhanki that is always a part of the Janmashtami festival is Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill on his index finger and provided shelter to the people of Gokul. This was done to protect them from never-ending rains.
During Janmashtami, tableau of a very interesting incident of Lord Krishna's life is created. Lord Krishna is said to have lifted Govardhan hill on his index finger and provided shelter to the people of Gokul. This was done to protect them from incessant rains.
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