Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is a Hindu festival marking the birthday of Lord Krishna. The festival is celebrated across the country with much pomp and splendor.

The festival is observed with Ras Lila and Dahi Handi celebrations for two days in the country.

Dramatic play Rasa Lila, which depicts the birth and life of Lord Krishna and his love for Gopika, is a special feature in this festival and is celebrated especially in the UP regions of Mathura and Vrindavan as well as Vaishnavism in Manipur. 

Dahi handi, which is mostly celebrated in Mumbai and Pune, marks the mischievous and playful behaviour of Krishna.  According to Hindu mythology, Krishna along with his team of friends called govindas form a human pyramid to break a pot of butter hanging from an elevated rope.

Krishna is an avatar of god Vishnu. Lord Krishna's birthday is also known as Janmashtami, Sri Krishna Jayanthi, Gokulashtami. Krishna was born on the 8th day of the increasing phase of the moon, which in the Indian Calendar is known as "Ashtami". And with Janma meaning "birth", the day is celebrated as Janmashtami.

Also, Krishna was born in Gokul, Vrindavan, therefore it is also celebrated as Gokulashtami. 

School children dressed as Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha take part in celebrations on eve of Janmashtami in Jammu (Reuters)

Meanwhile, President Pranab Mukherjee has also expressed his good wishes to all the people in the country on the occasion of Janmashtami.

"On the occasion of Janmashtami, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens. Let us on this auspicious day dedicate ourselves to the service of the nation. Let us concentrate on performing our duties without thinking about the rewards. Good results will definitely follow right actions. Let us imbibe Lord Krishna's message of love and compassion, of oneness and pluralism and work together to take our great country forward," he said in his message.

Check out the photos of people celebrating this festive below: 

School children dressed as Hindu Lord Krishna take part in a function held ahead of "Janamashtmi" celebrations in the southern Indian city of Chennai (Reuters)

A visually impaired student breaks clay pot containing curd during celebrations on eve of Janmashtami in Mumbai (Reuters)

School children dressed as Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha take part in celebrations on eve of Janmashtami in Jammu (Reuters)

School children dressed as Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha take part in celebrations on eve of Janmashtami in Jammu (Reuters)

A boy dressed as Lord Krishna, a Hindu deity, blows on a flute as he participates in a parade to mark the Gaijatra Festival in Kathmandu (Reuters)

Devotees stand in a queue in front of the Krishna Temple during the Krishna Janmashtami festival in Lalitpur (Reuters)

A boy holds up a portrait of Hindu god Krishna that he is selling, to passing devotees near the Krishna Temple in Lalitpur (Reuters)

A woman blows a flute to check it before buying, near the Krishna Temple in Lalitpur (Reuters)

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