Celebrating Janmashtami at Prem Mandir, Vrindavan, in Mathura

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Hindu devotees in Mathura gathered at a temple for the Krishna Janmashtami celebration in Uttar Pradesh. Krishna's birthplace Mathura and Vrindavan celebrate this occasion with great pomp and show. The birthday of Hinduism's favorite Lord Krishna is a special occasion for Hindus, who consider him their leader, hero, protector, philosopher, teacher and friend all rolled into one. Krishna took birth at midnight on the ashtami or the 8th day of the Krishnapaksha or dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Shravan (August-September). This auspicious day is called Janmashtami. Indian as well as Western scholars have now accepted the period between 3200 and 3100 BC as the period in which Lord Krishna lived on earth. The devotees of Lord Krishna observe fast for the whole day and night, worshipping h