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