Glimpses from Janmashtami celebrations taking shape across India before the festival.
From school performances and colourful processions to handcrafted idols and Dahi Handi pots, preparations reflect devotion and tradition.
IMAGE: Children dressed as Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha during a fancy dress competition ahead of the Janmashtami festival in Patna. Photograph: ANI Photo
Key Points
- Schools across multiple states organised Janmashtami-themed events featuring children dressed as Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha.
- Artists, potters and idol makers continued festival preparations with handcrafted decorations, performances and ceremonial displays before celebrations.
- Public processions and cultural programmes highlighted the festival's traditions through music, dance, tableaux and community participation nationwide.
IMAGE: Schoolchildren dressed as Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha attend classes. Photograph: ANI Photo
Young performers embrace tradition in Agartala
IMAGE: A schoolchild dressed as Lord Krishna waits to perform at a school in Agartala. Photograph: ANI Photo
IMAGE: A schoolchild dressed as Goddess Radha waits to perform. Photograph: ANI Photo
IMAGE: Schoolchildren dressed as Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha gather. Photograph: ANI Photo
Chennai captures Krishna's playful spirit
IMAGE: A child dressed as Lord Krishna plays with a calf in Chennai. Photograph: ANI Photo
IMAGE: Childen wait for their turn. Photograph: ANI Photo
Processions bring streets alive in New Delhi
IMAGE: Artists dressed as Lord Krishna hold flutes during a Janmashtami Shobha Yatra featuring a large Krishna idol and colourful tableaux at Ajmal Khan road in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo
IMAGE: An artist performs a dance drama depicting Lord Krishna at the Kamani auditorium in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo
IMAGE: Staff at an Amroli Thakkar shop in Surat prepare and display Lord Krishna idols for sale. Photograph: ANI Photo
IMAGE: A potter gives the final touches to a decorated Dahi Handi matki ahead of Janmashtami on Singan Por road in Surat. Photograph: ANI Photo
Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff
Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
