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MATHURA, INDIA, September 7, 2004: Temples in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, on Tuesday began celebrations to mark Janmashtami, the day of His birth. Millions of devotees thronged the beautifully illuminated and decorated edifices to offer their prayers to the Lord. A number of processions were also taken out on the occasion and special ballets popularly known as Raas Leela, depicting the love stories of Lord Krishna, were staged across the city. “It is our cultural heritage which says that our Gods, ancestors have done this sort of Leela. The people are made aware of our culture and heritage through the Raas Leela (ballet),” said a performer. Hindus are keeping a daylong fast that they will break at the stroke of midnight, the time of Krishna’s birth. “I liked it very much here and I am glad to be here,” said Bansiwala, who has been visiting the city for past 30 years. Krishna was the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu took birth as Krishna to destroy the evil king of Mathura, Kansa. His parents, imprisoned by Kansa, had to smuggle out the child born at midnight to save him. Vasudev, Krishna’s father, carried the newborn child in a reed basket and left him in the care of another couple at Gokul away from Mathura. Thus Janmashtami is celebrated on two consecutive days, the first is the day when Krishna was actually born, and the second is when he reached Gokul. Some parts of northern India are also celebrating Janmashtami on Wednesday. (ANI)

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