Happy Janmashtami 2022: how is the Hindu festival celebrated?

The day marks the birth of Krishna and is honoured by millions

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 devotee holds a bag containing prayer beads for the occasion. 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

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

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

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

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

A vendor arranges idols of Krishna in Chennai, India. EPA

Artisans paint matakis (pitchers) ahead of the celebrations to mark Janmashtami. AFP

A vendor arranges idols of Krishna in Chennai. EPA

Hindus dance during the Janmashtami festival in New Delhi. AFP

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

Another group race to grab the pot. Reuters

Boys carry an idol of Krishna at a workshop 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

Idols of Krishna being sold ahead of the festival. AFP

Devotees play Dahi Handi 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 man carries his child dressed as Krishna in Amritsar. AFP

Devotees carry their children dressed as Krishna at Shivala Bhaiyaan temple in Amritsar. AFP

Hindus around the world will begin celebrating the festival of Janmashtami, or Krishna Janmashtami, today, Thursday, August 18.

The event honours the birth of Krishna, believed to be an incarnation of Vishnu, one of the principal deities of Hinduism.

What time is Janmashtami this year?

The occasion is observed on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha or the waning moon, according to the Hindu calendar. This year, it falls today, Thursday, with the auspicious time beginning at 9.20pm and ending at 10.59pm on Friday.

According to Hindu mythology, Krishna was born at midnight in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. Owing to a threat to his life from his uncle, the tyrant King Kamsa, Krishna’s father took him across the Yamuna river to Nanda and Yashoda, who became his foster parents, for safekeeping.

How is Janmashtami celebrated?

A child in Dhaka dressed as Krishna during the Janmashtami festival. Reuters

Janmashtami is a bank holiday in most parts of India.

Celebrations include dance performances such as the Ras lila, and pujas, or prayers, being held. Devotees traditionally fast throughout the day and observe symbolic vigils at night by singing songs in temples and homes. They then share food at midnight.

Temples dedicated to Krishna also make prasad, or devotional food offerings, and it is believed the deity arrives at midnight to savour them.

Children are often dressed as little Krishna on the day.

What is Dahi Handi?

Young men form a human pyramid and attempt to reach the Dahi Handi during celebrations in Mumbai. AP

A competitive event where an earthen pot filled with yoghurt is hung at a height and men and boys form a human pyramid in order to reach it, the sport is one of the major attractions during Janmashtami celebrations. It is also called Utlotsavam in some parts of South India.

According to legend, as a toddler, a mischievous Krishna — who was known for his love of butter and yoghurt — used to steal them from his neighbours. His embarrassed mother then asked her neighbours to put their freshly-churned butter and yoghurt and hang them at a height so the youngster couldn't reach them. Krishna is then believed to have employed the help of his friends to form human pyramids and stolen the food.

These days, the event can feature lavish prizes and major sponsors.

In 2012, a nine-tier human pyramid in Mumbai that reached 13.4 metres in height made it into the Guinness World Records.

Some devotees also adorn their homes with tiny footprints outside their doors to signify Krishna’s arrival and decorate their houses with statues of a baby Krishna in a cradle.

What is Ras lila?

An artist dressed as Vishnu takes part in a performance during celebrations to mark the Janmashtami festival in New Delhi. Reuters

The Ras lila is a folkloric dance that tells the story of Krishna’s youth and his love for Radha. A group of cowherds, known as gopis, who are enamoured by the sounds of Krishna’s flute and sneak away from their homes to dance with him, also form part of the storytelling.

Ras lila is also a major theme in many of India’s classical dances including the Kathakali, Odissi, Bharatanatyam and Manipuri.

How Bollywood stars celebrated Raksha Bandhan 2022 — in pictures

Bollywood star Varun Dhawan showing off his rakhis on Raksha Bandhan. Photo: Varun Dhawan / Instagram

Farhan Akhtar shared a selfie with his sister Zoya Akhtar and film director Farah Khan Kunder. 'Best sisters ever,' he captioned the post. Photo: Farhan Akhtar / Instagram

Ananya Panday called her brother Ahaan 'the light of my life', sharing a series of photos on the occasion. Photo: Ananya Panday / Instagram

Farah Khan Kunder joked her triplets Anya, Czar and Diva are at the age where she has to 'pay them to hug each other'. Photo: Farah Khan Kunder / Instagram

Kartik Aaryan is seen touching the feet of his sister Kritika Tiwari, the ultimate sign of respect in Indian culture. Photo: Kartik Aaryan / Instagram

Actress Athiya Shetty shared a throwback photo along with brother Ahan Shetty. Photo: Athiya Shetty / Instagram

Sara Ali Khan shared a photo of herself with brother Ibrahim, whom she affectionately calls Iggy. Photo: Sara Ali Khan / Instagram

Actress Sonakshi Sinha shared a photo with her brothers Luv and Kussh. Photo: Sonakshi Sinha / Instagram

Mahesh Babu shared a photo of his son Gautam and daughter Sitara with the caption: 'Here's to the unbreakable bond of love.' Photo: Mahesh Babu / Instagram

Bollywood director Zoya Akhtar shared a throwback photo of herself with brother Farhan Akhtar, who is also an actor and director. Photo: Zoya Akhtar / Instagram

Sanjay Dutt shared an old photo featuring his sisters Namrata and Priya as well as his late father, actor Sunil Dutt. Photo: Sanjay Dutt / Instagram

Actor Sunny Deol posted a black-and-white photo of himself with one of his sisters. Photo: Sunny Deol / Instagram

Parineeti Chopra shared a photo with her younger brothers Sahaj and Shivang, captioning it: 'The best gift my parents gave me.' Photo: Parineeti Chopra / Instagram

Shamita Shetty took the day to honour her sister, actress Shilpa Shetty. Photo: Shamita Shetty / Instagram