New Delhi, Aug 18: Delhiites Monday celebrated Janmashtami, that marks the birth of Lord Krishna.

Devotees prayed within the city’s decked-up temples within the morning. Though, the festivities can devour during the evening and reach its peak at midnight once Lord Krishna is believed to possess been born.

“I started my day with providing prayers in temple and i would be fast the full day,” aforesaid Sneha Sharma, a 32-year-old banker who like others places a small Krishna idol during a cradle reception and bathed it with milk, curd, Ganga water, honey and ghee.

Temples, particularly the popular ones like Birla Temple in central Delhi, ISKCON in south Delhi and Gouri Shankar temple in Delhi were adorned with flowers and colourful lights as people came to hope to Krishna and his consort Radha.

While elaborate tableaux depiction Krishna’s birth enthralled the devotees at several temples, kids with flutes in hand and a peacock feather stuck on their headbands, depiction Lord Krishna are a typical sight at cultural events in residential societies and temples.

“Some devotees prayed within the morning however the celebrations can begin only within the evening and reach its peak at midnight once the mahabhishekha (pouring a mixture of water and milk over the deity) is finished,” Ravindra Nagar, head priest of Birla Temple.

“Panjiri” and “panchamrit” – 2 milk-based delicacies – with fruit are the common “prasadam”.

People can sing “bhajans” (devotional songs) and chant “mantras” in all the temples throughout the day.