President, PM greet nation ahead of Janmashtami

New Delhi, Sep 1 (ANI): President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today greeted the nation ahead of Janmashtami, which is being celebrated tomorrow.

"On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, I extend my greetings and best wishes to all my fellow citizens," President Patil said.

"May this festival inspire all of us to lead lives in which we ceaselessly strive for amity and unity with all our compatriots," she added.

Dr. Singh said: "The festival of Janmashtami celebrates the life and eternal teachings of Lord Krishna - discipline, knowledge, and selfless action.

"May the festival inspire us towards the goal of banishing ignorance and poverty through education and herald peace and prosperity for all," he added.

According to Hindu mythology, Krishna is the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe and one of the trinity of Gods, the other two being Lord Brahma, the Creator and Lord Shiva, the Destroyer.

Lord Vishnu is said to have taken birth as a human being to destroy the evil King Kansa who ruled over 5000 years ago.

Janmashtami is celebrated on two consecutive days, the day when Krishna was born, and the day when his father Vasudeva brought him to Gokul. (ANI)