Today is Janmasthami, the birth of Lord Krishna. Those folks who were tuned into CBC radio in PEI had heard in the morning news that Hindu's were looking forward to today's celebrations. Listeners also heard about the walk. Doug heard the broadcast while I trekked the Confederation Trail also known as the Trans Canada Trail segment on the island.
It was a full day fast from eating in observance of Janmasthami, even though I walked 42 kilometers. Wild apple trees and berries were ignored in order in order to honour the tradition. I didn't ignore people on the trail though. Two men from the department that maintains the trail received my compliments. Even if persons are paid for public services, I see no harm in showing appreciation. The two men had come to remove cut tree branches and when they bumped into me, they were a bit surprised with the robes and also surprised with the compliments.
The trail from the village of Elliot to Charlottetown is lined with shrubs, trees and valleys. It's beautiful. Looking up, I viewed the sky which was an attractive blue. Krishna is usually identified with this colour.
Brian McGinnis from Charlottetown paper The Guardian came for a photograph.
The evening was spent in the residence of the Hariharans where we celebrated the occasion with chanting, discussion, a ceremony for bathing a deity of Krishna and breaking the fast at midnight.
42 kms
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