Krishnashtami Special: Why does Krishna have the peacock feather on his head?

Krishnashtami means the birthday of lord Krishna and this festival is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm all over the country. Lord Krishna is alleged to be the eighth manifestation or avatar of Lord Vishnu. The historical background of lord Krishna birth depicts the importance of this Hindu festival. Lord Krishna was born at midnight on the eighth day of Hindu lunar month, Shravana.

Well, have you ever wondered about or noticed a peacock feather on the head of Sri Krishna. Do you know the exact reason behind peacock feather on his head? In case, if you are not aware of this fact you need to have a glance on this article. 

Why does Krishna have the peacock feather on his head?

One day, Krishna was the first person to wake up from his afternoon slumber in the forest, accompanied by his cowherd friends. He decided to wake up everyone as well as call the cows grazing at a distance by playing on his flute. When Krishna blew his divine breath into a flute, the most melodious raga emerged from it.

As the music floated through the forest, it mesmerized the peacocks in and around the Govardhan hills. Their hearts leapt in sheer joy, and they responded by filling the skies with their own song and dancing with happiness.

Krishna, who is the source of all dramatic arts, was pleased with their dance and encouraged them by his loving glance and sweet smile. They cried with joy and the sound traveled across the hills. Soon, their sounds became indistinguishable from the echoes. The peacocks became excited and jumped up and down, flapping their wings.

As the peacocks danced, the king of the peacocks made his way to the lotus feet of Sri Krishna, touching his holy feet and making a sound which Sri Krishna understood to be a request that Sri Krishna dance with them. Of course, Krishna - who can never refuse a devotee's appeal – joined the peacocks in their dance, dancing quite like them and the steps increasing in tempo, the fortunate were the people who could witness this superb spectacle!

The bliss of the peacocks increased multi-fold when Sri Krishna danced with them. It was so overwhelming that some peacocks even fainted. All the cowherds and animals of the Govardhan hills stood transfixed, unable to move their eyes away from the dance of Sri Krishna.

When the dance ended, the king of the peacocks approached Sri Krishna with great humility, bowed down head and offered feathers as Gurudakshina to Lord Krishna and requested to keep it on his head as a decoration as he has created a festival of bliss for which they remain eternally indebted.

With tears of ecstasy trickling down on face, the king of peacocks then dropped many beautiful feathers. Sri Krishna picked up the peacock's offering and to everybody's joy, placed a few on his crown. It was thus that he came to wear the peacock feathers.

Well, every aspect of Lord Krishna's life is enchanting, no matter whether it is naughtiness of an infant Krishna or Lord Krishna. God never asks for material things and a deity wants attention from his devotees. So, devote yourself fully towards Lord Krishna and make this Janmashtami special.

Happy Birthday Lord Sri Krishna!