Krishna Janmashtami celebrations

The birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated as the Krishna Janmashtami. It is this day when Lord Vishnu took birth on earth in his eighth avatar or incarnation as Sri Krishna.

Breaking of the Dahi Handi by the Govinda Pathak on this occasion symbolizes unity  and achievement in being successful in breaking the handi, which is a clay pot filled with buttermilk. This clay pot is positioned in the middle of air by the support of some ropes, and then this pot has to be hit by something such as the coconut by the topmost person who would stand on the human pyramid.

The festival is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and glee, the devotees keep waterless fast in which they don't intake water and they read, recite and sing the Lord krishna's divine leela especially in the evening time. The Krishna leela defines and describes various stages of Sri Krishna's life.

Various sweet dishes and dishes from milk products are made by the people on this auspicious day as Lord Krishna loved milk and milk products a lot, he was very much fond of buttermilk. The most popular dishes are said to be Shrikhand and Singhare ki puri, pedha and gulab jamun.

Various Bhajans and kirtans take place at homely environment and at temples as well. The bhajans are about the Lord Krishna and his life. Dramas also takes place at various community halls or even in the jhankis. These dramas depict how Lord Krishna used to be, what he used to do and how he was born and what all he did.

At midnight, people gather in temples or sometimes at the homes to do the kirtans as Lord Krishna was born at midnight. At this time special prayers are commenced referring to the Lord krishna.