Prayers and chants echo across temples in India since Wednesday evening as devotees mark the celebration of the annual Shree Krishna Janmashtami festival, commemorating the 5250th birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, believed to be the divine incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the country on this occasion on Thursday through X (formerly Twitter), saying: "May this auspicious occasion of devotion and devotion infuse new energy and new enthusiasm in the lives of all my family members, this is my wish. Shri Krishna! Heartiest congratulations on Janmashtami."
On this day, people offer their reverence to Lord Krishna's infant form, often referred to as Bal Gopal, as well as to Laddu Gopal.
Krishna's devotees worship the Bal Gopal idols made of gold or copper by bathing them with milk and water; and dressing the figurines in colorful clothes and accessories. The idol is then placed in a tiny cradle and offered sweets and home-churned butter.
On the following day, the devotees break a day-long fast by having fruits, curd, and sweets at sunset.
The celebrations, meanwhile, are likewise taking place on social media as devotees share a glimpse of their festivity and gala celebration and extend Janmashtami wishes to each other.
An elaborative celebration is also taking place at Lord Krishna's birthplace in Uttar Pradesh state's Mathura and Vrindavan cities.
Pictures of children dressed up like Lord Krishna and his consort Goddess Radha in bright dhotis, kurta, accessorized with peacock feathers and flutes, have also gone viral on social media.
A toddler dressed as Lord Krishna on Krishna Janmashtami festival
© Sputnik / Sangeeta Yadav
Kindergarten students of ICON Nurturing Innocence Preschool come dressed as Lord Krishna and Radha on Krishna Janmashtami festival.
© Sputnik / Sangeeta Yadav
Legend has it that Lord Krishna is the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu who is believed to have been born around 5,200 years ago in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh state.
According to Hindu scriptures, Krishna was born to a woman Devaki, and her husband Vasudeva in a prison cell. They were confined by his maternal uncle Kansa, a king of Mathura, due to a prophecy of his death by a child of Devaki.
When Krishna was born, his father Vasudeva secretly carried the baby away across the Yamuna River and exchanged him with Yashoda's daughter. Hence, Krishna was raised by Nanda and his wife, Yashoda, near Mathura.
The birth of Lord Krishna marks the celebration of the beginning of a new era.