Janmashtami
is a festival celebrated across India to mark the birth of Lord Krishna, who according
to Hindu mythology is the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. One of the most
important Hindu deities, Lord Krishna was born as the eighth child of Devaki
and Vasudeva and went on the fulfill the prophecy that the evil king Kansa will
die by the hands of his eighth nephew. He also played a crucial role in the events
of the epic Mahabharata.

Also Read | Krishna Janmashtami 2021: How India is prepping for the festival amid pandemic

This year
the festival of Janmashtami will be celebrated on August 30. People mark the occasion
by fasting, breaking ‘dahi handis’, preparing special sweets and other dishes and
praying together. It is celebrated fervently in Mathura and Vrindavan, with the
former believed to be his birthplace. ‘Raas Leela’ or ‘Krishna Leela’ are a part of the
celebrations in some parts of the country.

Here is a
look at the different way the festival is celebrated in different parts of India:

Also Read | Indian Railways extends periodicity of festival special trains. Full list here

Maharashtra

Lord Krisha
was believed to have been very fond of butter and curd and would often show his
notorious side by stealing it from pots. In Maharashtra, this festival is celebrated
with a traditional ‘Dahi Handi’ competition, where a group of boys and men form
a human pyramid, with one of them trying to break a handi – an earthen pot – filled
with curd hanging from a rope about 20-30 feet from the ground.

Also Read | Easy sweets recipes you must try this Janmashtamihttps://opoyi.com/tokyo-paralympics-indians-in-the-fray-on-day-5?utm_source=copy-share&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=none

The pyramid
often collapses but the participants try a number of times until the pot is
broken. The event is usually followed by a prize distribution ceremony.

Mathura and Vrindavan

The
festival’s grandeur is unmatched in Mathura and Vrindavan in the north Indian
state of Uttar Pradesh. According to mythology, Lord Krishna is believed to
have been born in Mathura and raised in Vrindavan. Plays and dances known as ‘Krishna
Leelas’ and ‘Raas Leelas’ narrating the life of Lord Krishna are organised that
are major global tourist attractions.

Also Read | Krishna Janmashtami vrat: Importance, do’s and don’ts

Gujarat

Lord
Krishna is believed to have founded his kingdom in Dwarka, which is why the
festival is also celebrated with a lot of grandeur in Gujarat. People celebrate
by decorating temples, singing songs and preparing sweets. The ‘Dahi Handi’
tradition is also big in Gujarat, although it is known as Makhan Handi.

South India

In Tamil Nadu, people observe fast for th entire day and decorate the floor of their homes with patterns made of rice batter called ‘Kolams’. The Bhagwad Gita is also recited on this day. 

Meanwhile, in Andhra Pradesh, young boys dress up as Lord Krishna and devotees sing songs and make prayers. Special sweets are also prepared for this occasion.