Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu is the god of compassion, tenderness and love in Hinduism. He is the most worshiped lord in the present world. Krishna’s birthday falls in late August or early September of the Gregorian calendar is celebrated with much enthusiasm.

According to the Hindu calendar, this religious festival is observed on the eighth day after the full moon of Shravana. It is believed that Lord Krishna took birth at midnight on the ashtami or the 8th day of the Krishnapaksha in the Hindu month of Shravan. He was born around 5,200 years ago in Mathura.

Janmashtami is also referred to as Krishna Janmashtami, Saatam Aatham, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti and Sree Jayanti.

There is a popular ritual of Dahi handi, which is basically an imitation of the butter-stealing episodes of Lord Krishna. The boy who stands at the top is called Govinda and the groups are either called handis or mandals.

The following day, which is referred to as ‘Nanda Utsav’, as an offering to the Lord, devotees put together a list of 56 food items, which is referred to as the ‘chappan bhog’. Makhan mishri, kheer, rasgulla, jalebi, rabri, mathri, malpua, mohanbhog, chutney, murabba, saag, dahi, Khichadi, tikkis, milk and cashews are some of the must menus.

The town of Dwarka in Gujarat, Krishna’s own land, comes alive with major celebrations. People in Tamil Nadu draw beautiful and elaborated patterns called Kolam, made with rice batter on the entrances of their houses and tiny footprints of little Krishna entering their houses.