Birth of Krishna

The first thing that I want everyone to know about Lord Krishna is something that I just learned two days ago: Lord Krishna is black. Not just brown, but black as the night, blacker than the night. “Krishna” in fact means “black” in Sanskrit. In pictures, however, he is often depicted as being blue or dark blue. There are different interpretations as to why this is and whether Krishna really should be considered black or blue.

Let me just put it out there that from my perspective dark blue is probably just as good for a god as black, but black is a good color as well :). Europeanized versions of Christ and Mary, on the other hand… being in the East right now, the idea just seems kind of strange... but I know that man is always prone to "create" God in his own image.

In celebration of the holiday, the temple next to my balcony was decorated with balloons and pink colored lights. There were many more people than usual entering into the gate, and lining the inside balconies, families with small children. Many of them seemed to be bringing gifts with them, which I believe they left as offerings to the gods themselves. I know that they often bring gifts of flowers or food; I am not sure what the specific custom is for this holiday.

I did pluck up the courage to go down to the street, but not quite to the door of the temple itself. There were several guards hanging about. I think that by now, they are coming to find me amusing, but it will be some time perhaps before I feel comfortable traversing the temple entrance.