New Delhi, India - Platters of sweets and marigold garlands in hand, devotees thronged temples across the country on Saturday to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.
Festivities began early at His birthplace Vrindavan with the deity being bathed in curd, milk, honey, khandsari (molasses) and turmeric to the chanting of Vedic hymns in the Dwarkadeesh temple. Thereafter it was shifted to Sri Krishna Janmasthan.
Lakhs of pilgrims, including foreigners, made a beeline for temples in nearby Govardhan and Nandgaon.
Cultural programmes with bhajans and `keertans' were held in the Radha Raman, Radha Damodar, Shah Ji and Ranganath temples, while children of Nandgaon enjoyed `mataki phod lila' of the young Krishna by breaking pitchers containing butter and crystals of sugar.
Stalls serving free food, water, sweets and medicines were also set up for the devotees.
Roads in Delhi mostly led to the Birla Mandir in the Gole Market area and the ISKCON (International Society of Krishna Consciousness) temple in East Kailash.
People in festive attires were seen at makeshift fairs with stalls selling sweets and other items for the occasion. Children, in particular, were enraptured by miniature `Radha Krishna jhulas', idols of Nand Lalla and knick-knacks.
The devout observed fast till midnight when, according to mythology, the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu was born to Devaki in a dungeon in `Braja'. Groups of youth shouting ``Govinda Ala Re'' went about Mumbai forming human pyramids to get to `dahi handis' (mud pots with curd and money). Throwing `gulal' in the air, the participants competed for the jackpot, braving buckets of water thrown at them.
Betting in Gujarat
In Gujarat, though gambling is frowned upon, women shuffled cards, placed bets and even lost money during the festival. They ate food, prepared two days in advance, and fasted on the night before Krishna's birth.
The event was celebrated with traditional fervour in Dwarka.
In Jammu, devotees visited the Raghunath and other temples and prayed for peace and prosperity in the State.
Celebrations overseas
In Britain, an estimated 75,000 people congregated around temples such as the Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple at Watford.
Organisers erected 20 marquees on a 77-acre plot near the temple, where plays and dancing took place on Friday night. About 800 organisations joined hands to celebrate.
Janmashtami was also celebrated at Shri Ram Mandir, considered Britain's oldest Hindu temple in Indian-dominated Southall in West London.