India drenched in Krishna colours

New Delhi: Independence Day celebrations may have passed on peacefully but security personnel are yet to heave a sigh of relief, as the country celebrates Janmashtami (Lord Krishna’s birth celebrations) on Wednesday.

Considering the recent terror threats, security has been stepped up in Mathura – believed to be the birthplace of Krishna.

Mathura, about 150 kilometres south of New Delhi, is home to the main Krishna temple and has been decked up to welcome the millions of devotees who are expected to arrive on Wednesday.

The ISKCON temple in Delhi has been witnessing a steady stream of devotees since early morning

A large police force has been deployed to control the huge crowds and to prevent any untoward incident.

"Hundreds of thousands of devotees come here, though our force is always on guard, for Janmashtami, extra force has been deployed and extra arrangements have been made. As one can see, barricades have been put up and the area has been divided into three zones. And in all the three zones a lot of force has been deployed." said Sanjay Kumar, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mathura.

Devotees also appeared satisfied with the security arrangements.

"There is very good security. Administration has left no stone unturned but even then if an untoward incident takes place, then it would not just be the administration's fault or responsibility but also of every citizens'," said Shailendra Kumar, a devotee.

All temples in Vrindavan are teeming with devotees and security has been stepped up

Mathura is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, one of the most revered Hindu deities who enumerated the Bhagwad Gita.

In the neighbouring Vrindavan, several important temples like the ISKCON temple, the Banke Bihari temple, the Rangnathji temple and the Radharaman temple began prayers and rituals since early Wednesday morning and have scheduled more ceremonies through the day.

India's commercial capital is gearing up for the famous dahi-handi ritual

Mumbai, too, is gearing up for the celebrations. Ssecurity is on an all-time high for the unique dahi-handi ceremony.

In dahi-handi ritual, groups of young men gather on city roads, form pyramids and take aim at curd-filled clay-pot suspended several feet from the ground.

Devotees keep a day-long fast, which they break at the stroke of midnight, which is considered the time of birth of Krishna.

According to Hindu mythology, Krishna is the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Preserver and one of the trinities of the Hindu pantheon, the other two being Lord Brahma, the Creator and Lord Shiva, the Destroyer.

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