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Janmashtami celebrated with religious fervour across India, see pictures

Last updated on - Sep 7, 2023, 12:40 IST

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Every year, the festival of Janmashtami is celebrated by Hindus to mark the birth of Lord Krishna, the God who is the embodiment of playfulne... Read More

01 / 30
Janmashtami celebrated with religious fervour across India, see pictures

Many Hindus around the world celebrated Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of the Hindu god Krishna. This year, Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated for two consecutive days i.e. September 06 and 07, 2023. The birth celebrations occur on the eighth day after the full moon in the month of Bhadrapada, or during August-September; in some parts of southern India the celebrations are held during the fifth lunar month of Shravana, which is in July-August. In Sanskrit, Krishna means “dark” or “black,” and like the deity Vishnu with whom he is associated, Krishna is often depicted as dark-skinned. He is identified as the eighth avatar, or incarnation, of the deity Vishnu in many texts, while other sources identify Krishna as the highest divine being. He is especially loved for his divine attributes of compassion, protection and friendship. The observance of Krishna Janmashtami has moved far beyond its place of origin in Krishna’s homeland of Vrindavan, in north-central India, where Krishna is said to have been raised. Today, in the global community of about 1.2 billion Hindus, Krishna Janmashtami is considered an important holiday among all lineages and traditions. On the first day of the celebration of Krishna Janmashtami, activities culminate in a “Krishna puja,” a devotional form of worship using a form or an image, such as an idol of Krishna. After midnight, statues of Krishna are bathed in milk and water, dressed in new clothes and venerated in homes and temples. Devotees enjoy a celebratory meal after breaking the daylong fast. In addition to fasting during the holiday, Krishna’s devotees sing songs called “bhajans,” or “kirtans,” dedicated to Krishna, reenact episodes from mythology about his life, known as “Krishna Lilas,” and perform folk dances, or “garbhas.” In northern India, Krishna Janmashtami is followed the next day by a raucous and spirited event called “Dahi Handi,” loosely translated as “curds in an earthen pot.” Young men and boys imitate the childish pranks of “Makhan Chor,” an epithet given to Krishna in his beloved form during his childhood as a “butter thief.” Folklore is full of stories about Krishna and his childhood friends stealing sweetened butter from the village gopis, or cow herdesses. To engage in the reenactment, a pot of sweetened butter and curds is suspended in midair, while teenage boys dressed as cowherds form human pyramids, climbing on each other’s backs to reach and break the pot, sharing the sweet yogurt within. Janmashtami is being celebrated across the country with full fervour. Several lord Krishna temples were decked up to celebrate the occasion with religious fervour, pomp and fanfare. The temples were decorated with lights as well as flowers.

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02 / 30
Janmashtami celebrated with religious fervour across India, see pictures
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Janmashtami celebrated with religious fervour across India, see pictures
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See more of : Krishna Janmashtami, Janmashtami
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Janmashtami celebrated with religious fervour across India, see pictures
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05 / 30
Janmashtami celebrated with religious fervour across India, see pictures
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06 / 30
Janmashtami celebrated with religious fervour across India, see pictures
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See more of : Krishna Janmashtami, Janmashtami
07 / 30
Janmashtami celebrated with religious fervour across India, see pictures
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See more of : Krishna Janmashtami, Janmashtami
08 / 30
Janmashtami celebrated with religious fervour across India, see pictures
(Reuters)
See more of : Krishna Janmashtami, Janmashtami
09 / 30
Janmashtami celebrated with religious fervour across India, see pictures
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See more of : Krishna Janmashtami, Janmashtami
10 / 30
Janmashtami celebrated with religious fervour across India, see pictures
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See more of : Krishna Janmashtami, Janmashtami
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