Janmashtami
Festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord
Krishna. It falls in the month of August or September, with the date
being calculated every year. On the day of Janmashtami, people fast
until midnight and thereafter worship the image or statute of Lord
Krishna at home or temple. This is so because it is believed that Lord
Krishna was born exactly at the stroke of midnight. Lord Krishna took
birth in this world to rid it of Kansa, the wicked king of Mathura.
The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated throughout the Delhi city.
The temples at Vrindavan and Mathura are beautifully decorated and lit
and the celebrations take place on a grand scale. Just like anywhere
else, Janamashtami celebrations in New Delhi also include breaking of a
matka (earthen pot). The pots are suspended high above the ground.
Groups of young men and children form human pyramids to reach the pot
and ultimately break it.