India celebrates Janmashtami

Krishna Aarti 'Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki' has created a devotional aura cross the nation to mark the birth of Lord Krishna.

Janmashtami messages are doing rounds on Thursday to greet each others.

The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari greeted the nation on this auspicious occasion.

In Maharashtra, Govindas are geared up for the Dahi-handi festival on the occasion of Janmashtami. Also view: Janmashtami photo gallery.

In Mathura, the birth place of Lord Krishna, celebrations are on with full fervour. Several cultural and devotional programmes are being organized to please the God.

Millions of people have been visiting Shri Krishna temple in Brindavan to offer prayers.

Krishna Janmashtami is being celebrated at the ISKCON temple in Bangalore and national capital.

Temples across Braj Mandal, a large swathe of area around Mathura, are bustling with joy and fervour, celebrating Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The confusion created by two Janamashtmi dates notwithstanding, the festivities in Vrindavan and Mathura reached dizzy heights with more than a lakh pilgrims doing rounds of the temples.

"More are likely to come by this (Thursday) evening to participate in the festivities at the Shri Krishna Janambhoomi (birthplace)," an official said here.

"New parking slots have been developed and drinking water facility is being provided at key areas. Medical facilities and ambulance service will also be available," he added.

In Gokul, Nandotsava is to be celebrated Friday, Baldeo Chatt in Baldev Dauji, on Sep 13, and Radha Ashtmi (birthday of Radha) Sep 15.

Dozens of foreign devotees arrived at the ISKCON temple in Vrindavan. The "kirtan" (singing of hymns) by them is drawing huge crowds. The famous Bankey Bihari temple observed Janamashtmi Wednesday.

In Agra, the Mathuradheesh temple on the Yamuna Kinara Road will be the main attraction. The Radha Krishna temples in Shahjadi Mandi, Lawyers' Colony, Vijay Nagar colony and in other parts of the city are all decked up for the celebrations.

This year, a wide variety of China-made toys and clay statuettes have flooded the market, says Raj Gupta of Vidhyarthi Stores.

"Decorative pieces, electronic toys and flowers are in huge demand," he added.

"We have special mitthais (sweets) for the fasting devotees, pure and without cereals and also some items for the diabetics," says Shishir Bhagat of Bhagat Sweets.

In Agra district jail, more than 800 prisoners are keeping a fast on Janmashtami. The inmates will shun smoking and tobacco chewing for the day.