Dahi Handi celebrations of Janmashtami (watch pics)

New Delhi: One of India's most popular festivals- Janmashtami- is celebrated throughout India with zest and fervour, to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna- the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The legend of this festival basically revolves around the birth of Lord Krishna with the purpose of getting the world rid of evils. Lord Krishna took birth at midnight on the ashtami or the 8th day of the Krishna paksha or dark lunar fortnight in the Hindu month of Shravan (August-September). In India, thousands of people come out on the streets on Janmashtami to enact the "Dahi Handi " (stealing of curd) episode from Krishna's childhood. Large earthen pots with butter are kept at great heights in the middle of the roads, and pyramids of volunteers try to break the pots to win prizes. While the Rasa lila re-creates the flirtatious aspects of Krishna's youthful days, the Dahi Handi celebrates God's playful and mischievous side. watch in pics the Dahi handi celebrations in various parts of India:Young Indian devotees of Hindu God Lord Krishna attempt to make a seven-tier human pyramid in the ‘dahi-handi' (curd-pot) contest in Mumbai A Group (devotees of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to reach the Dahi in GokulChildren dressed as Lord Krishna take part in Janmashtami celebrations in PatnaPeople enjoying the Dahi handi celebrations during JanmashtamiLarge gathering during Dahi handi celebrationsPriests performing abhishek of Lord Krishna at Radha Raman temple in Vrindavan Mumbai people celebrates and they aim to break the dahi handi Younsters with full enthusiasm enjoying the festivalBollywood actor John Abraham participates in 'Dahi Handi' celebrations in Thane near MumbaiHindu devotees fall on top of each other after forming a human pyramid in an attempt break the dahi-handi in MumbaiDevotees in dancing moodYoung boy broke the handi