September 6: Shree Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is being celebrated by the Hindu devotees with devotion and fanfare across the country.    

According to the scriptures, Lord Krishna was born in the midnight of Bhadrakrishna Ashtami or the eighth day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra as per the Vedic lunar calendar during the Dwapar era more than 5,000 years ago.    

Lord Krishna is considered as the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the protector of the world. He took the form of a human to protect righteousness and to uproot the evil from the world.

Legend has it that Lord Krishna killed the evil king Kansa, who was his maternal uncle, to protect the innocent people and his parents from his cruelty.

Lord Krishna is better remembered for his philosophical discourse in Bhagvad Gita, where he guides the warrior Arjun towards the right path. The instructions given to Arjun before the great war of Mahabharat are considered relevant even to this day.

Lord Krishna is also known as "Gopal" for his dedicated service to the cows as a herder. He is also known as "Manmohan" for the melodies he used to play on his flute, charming everyone.    

Devotees throng the temples of Lord Krishna including the famous Shree Krishna Temple of Mangal Bazaar in Lalitpur on this day. The renowned and artistic Shree Krishna Temple made up of stones was built by the then King of Patan, Siddhi Narsingh Malla.    

Various religious organizations and institutions celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna by organizing colorful processions with the idols of Lord Krishna flanked by decorative portraits.    

Devotees, especially women, spend the night chanting prayers and devotional songs, dancing and lighting oil-fed lamps.    

Besides prayers and fasting, the preaching of Lord Krishna are discussed and the message spread among the people on this day.  (With inputs from RSS)