Janmashtami is a joyous festival celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Janmashtami is also called Gokulashtami, Krishnashtami, Krishna Jayanti, or Krishna Janmashtami. This auspicious Hindu festival is celebrated with great excitement and joy. On this day, Krishna devotees organise pujas, visit temples, and decorate homes. Children dress up as Lord Krishna and other mythological characters in schools and neighbourhoods to retell the story of Lord Krishna's birth and life. People also sing Lord Krishna songs and perform the fun Dahi-Handi ritual.
For puja, a baby Krishna deity is set up in a cradle and worshipped. Butter and sugar are offered as prasad to the Lord, as these are believed to be some of His most favourite foods. Devotees observe a daylong fast that is broken with prasad after the puja.
