India is gearing up for Janmashtami celebrations. Here's how—
Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated across Indian on August 25. The birthday of the most mischievous of all Gods, Lord Krishna, will see grand celebrations.
It has been a tradition across the nation to organise street plays and performances to celebrate the day and, usually, the actors and performers happen to be schoolchildren, recalling the child-like Lord Krishna.
So here are pictures from across India, showcasing these children as they prepare for the big day.
1. Raas leela
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Students dance as they participate in celebrations ahead of the Janmashtami festival, which marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, in Mumbai. The dance, called the Raas Leela, is a part of the traditional story of Lord Krishna as described in the Bhagavad Purana and Gita Govinda.
(Photo courtesy - Reuters)
2. Dahi Handi
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A participant dressed as Lord Krishna helps support others making a human pyramid during a cultural event in the run up to the dahi handi (curd pot) celebrations of Janmashtami in Mumbai.
The Supreme Court has banned children from taking part in the popular but potentially dangerous game played during the religious festival that sees young boys scale human pyramids. The Supreme Court barred children aged under 18 from scaling the pyramids and restricted their height to 20 feet (six metres) following a string of accidents in recent years.
(Photo courtesy - AFP)
3. A child dressed as Lord Krishna
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Students participate in celebrations ahead of the Janmashtami festival, which marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna in Mumbai. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
4. Theatrics
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Children enact Krishna's life in a play ahead of the Janmashtami festival, at DAV Public School in New Delhi. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
5. Lord Krishna and Radha
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Children dressed as Lord Krishna and Radha for a function during Janmashtami Celebration at a school in Ajmer, Rajasthan. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
6. Idol making
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A young child gives finishing touches to an idol of Lord Krishna in Bikaner, Rajasthan. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
7. Gods in school
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Children dressed up as Lord Krishna and Radha attending a class at a school in Patna. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
8. Krishnas galore
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Children participate in a fancy dress competition at school in Patna. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
