Hindu Australians celebrate the birth of Krishna
13 August 2009
Hindu Australians will celebrate the birth of Krishna on August 13-14 with the festival of Krishna Janmashtami, the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, said today.
Celebrations are staged at midnight to mark the birth of Krishna more than 5000 years ago in Mathura, India. Festivities include singing, chanting and fasting. Krishna is said to be the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, one of the principal Hindu deities, and Janmashtami is the celebration of his birth.
'Because Krishna is one of the most popular gods in the Hindu tradition, his birth is a very important Hindu holy day and celebrated across the world,' said Mr Ferguson.
'Hinduism is among the world's oldest religions with the fourth largest number of adherents in Australia after Christianity, Buddhism and Islam.
'In 1792 India played a central role in feeding a young Australian colony close to starvation. It was the ship 'Atlantic' which brought back essential food and stores from India after the sinking of the main supply ship the 'Guardian', said Mr Ferguson.
'Soon after this, trading ships coming to Australia carried Hindu crewman from the Bay of Bengal.
'Early settlement began from the 1830s, when a few people came to work in Australia. By 1911, there were some 1000 Hindus in Australia.
'The Australian Hindu community today numbers about 150 000, with nearly 24 000 born in Australia. About 65 000 were born in India, 23 000 in Fiji and nearly 12 000 in Sri Lanka.'
Mr Ferguson said Hindu Australians had contributed to Australia's prosperity, particularly in professional fields such as medicine, business, science, engineering, commerce, the arts and information technology.
'I wish all those observing Krishna Janmashtami an enjoyable celebration,' Mr Ferguson said.
Media contact: Carla Wilshire 0432 755 935
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2009/lf09041.htm
Last update: 14 August 2009 at 12:41 AEST