How India celebrated Janmashtami

The birth of Lord Krishna, believed to be the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, is an annual Hindu festival celebrated as Janmashtami or Gokulashatami. (Express photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

An artist dressed up as Lord Krishna distributes masks in Sector 23 and 24, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. (Express photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

This year, Janmashtami celebrations begin August 11, with many also likely to celebrate it the next day. (Express photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

Illuminated Sri Krishna Mandir in Ludhiana's Model Town. (Express Photo by Gurmeet Singh)

Janmashtami festival in Mathura will be observed on Wednesday with all the rituals, but the devotees will not be allowed entry to the temple due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PTI reported. (Express photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

On Janmashtami, idols of infant Krishna are washed, clothed and placed in a cradle. In pic: Priests perform 'abhishek' of Krishna-Radha idols during Janmashtami celebrations at ISKCON temple in Bengaluru. (PTI)

The devotees then break their fast and share foods and sweets with a special emphasis on milk products including makhan, milk and curd. In pic: Decoration of Iskcon temple in sector 12 Panchkula on the eve of Janmashtami on Tuesday. (Express photo by Jaipal Singh)

Amritsar: An artist gives final touches to the idols of Krishna ahead of Janmashtami festival, in Amritsar, Monday. (PTI)

Devotees at Sanatan Dharam Temple in Sector 42 during Janmashtami celebrations in Chandigarh on Tuesday. (Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)