Celebrated on the eighth day or Ashtami of the month of Krishna Paksha, Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami is the celebration of the birth of Krishna. It is usually celebrated by fasting until midnight, which is believed to be the birth time of Krishna. In Maharashtra Dahi-Handi or the communal breaking of the pot of curd is a popular way to celebrate, bringing friends and family together in a competitive spirit. A similar activity called Uriadi is practices in Tamil Nadu. All over South India, people worship images of the infant Krishna, visit temples and offer prayer and devotional music at midnight.
Every region in the country has unique ceremonies and more to mark this auspicious day, but the one thing that unites us all, without which no festival would be complete, is the preparation of homemade sweets and snacks for the festival.
