Krishna Janmashtami celebrations – in pictures

  • A child dressed as Krishna in Dhaka during Janmashtami festivities. Reuters
    A child dressed as Krishna in Dhaka during Janmashtami festivities. Reuters
  • A girl has a tika applied on her forehead during the festival at a temple in Ahmedabad, India. Reuters
    A girl has a tika applied on her forehead during the festival at a temple in Ahmedabad, India. Reuters
  • A devotee holds a bag containing prayer beads for the occasion. AFP
    A devotee holds a bag containing prayer beads for the occasion. AFP
  • A devotee holds an offering tray with an idol of Krishna. AFP
    A devotee holds an offering tray with an idol of Krishna. AFP
  • A vendor waits for customers as he sits next to idols of Krishna along a roadside in New Delhi. AFP
    A vendor waits for customers as he sits next to idols of Krishna along a roadside in New Delhi. AFP
  • Devotees pay respect to an idol of Krishna during the Janmashtami festival at a temple in Amritsar, India. AFP
    Devotees pay respect to an idol of Krishna during the Janmashtami festival at a temple in Amritsar, India. AFP
  • A child dressed as Krishna on the outskirts of Kathmandu. AFP
    A child dressed as Krishna on the outskirts of Kathmandu. AFP
  • Hindu devotees gather to celebrate at Lalitpur on the outskirts of Kathmandu. AFP
    Hindu devotees gather to celebrate at Lalitpur on the outskirts of Kathmandu. AFP
  • Children dressed as Krishna and Goddess Radha walk along with their parents. AFP
    Children dressed as Krishna and Goddess Radha walk along with their parents. AFP
  • Devotees visit the illuminated Durgiana Temple in Amritsar. AFP
    Devotees visit the illuminated Durgiana Temple in Amritsar. AFP
  • An artist applies finishing touches to an idol of Krishna at a workshop in Amritsar. AFP
    An artist applies finishing touches to an idol of Krishna at a workshop in Amritsar. AFP
  • Priests pour milk and water on the idols of Hindu deities Krishna and Radha on the eve of Janmashtami in Amritsar. AFP
    Priests pour milk and water on the idols of Hindu deities Krishna and Radha on the eve of Janmashtami in Amritsar. AFP
  • Devotees carry their children dressed as Krishna and Radha. AFP
    Devotees carry their children dressed as Krishna and Radha. AFP
  • A vendor arranges idols of Krishna in Chennai, India. EPA
    A vendor arranges idols of Krishna in Chennai, India. EPA
  • Artisans paint matakis (pitchers) ahead of the celebrations to mark Janmashtami. AFP
    Artisans paint matakis (pitchers) ahead of the celebrations to mark Janmashtami. AFP
  • A vendor arranges idols of Krishna in Chennai. EPA
    A vendor arranges idols of Krishna in Chennai. EPA
  • Hindus dance during the Janmashtami festival in New Delhi. AFP
    Hindus dance during the Janmashtami festival in New Delhi. AFP
  • Children dressed as Krishna attend Janmashtami celebrations inside a school in Ahmedabad. Reuters
    Children dressed as Krishna attend Janmashtami celebrations inside a school in Ahmedabad. Reuters
  • Celebrators attempt to form a human pyramid to break the Dahi Handi — an earthen pot filled with curd hanging above them — in Mumbai. AP
    Celebrators attempt to form a human pyramid to break the Dahi Handi — an earthen pot filled with curd hanging above them — in Mumbai. AP
  • Another group race to grab the pot. Reuters
    Another group race to grab the pot. Reuters
  • Boys carry an idol of Krishna at a workshop in Chennai. AFP
    Boys carry an idol of Krishna at a workshop in Chennai. AFP
  • An artisan paints an idol of Krishna in Chennai. AFP
    An artisan paints an idol of Krishna in Chennai. AFP
  • Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha or the waning moon, according to the Hindu calendar, so the date changes every year. AFP
    Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha or the waning moon, according to the Hindu calendar, so the date changes every year. AFP
  • Idols of Krishna being sold ahead of the festival. AFP
    Idols of Krishna being sold ahead of the festival. AFP
  • Devotees play Dahi Handi in Mumbai. AFP
    Devotees play Dahi Handi in Mumbai. AFP
  • Elders help children as they perform Dahi Handi in a residential complex in Mumbai. AFP
    Elders help children as they perform Dahi Handi in a residential complex in Mumbai. AFP
  • A group of girls take part in a Dahi Handi using a ladder in Mumbai. AFP
    A group of girls take part in a Dahi Handi using a ladder in Mumbai. AFP
  • A man carries his child dressed as Krishna in Amritsar. AFP
    A man carries his child dressed as Krishna in Amritsar. AFP
  • Devotees carry their children dressed as Krishna at Shivala Bhaiyaan temple in Amritsar. AFP
    Devotees carry their children dressed as Krishna at Shivala Bhaiyaan temple in Amritsar. AFP