Indian festival to be celebrated today

Janmashtami marks the anniversary of the appearance of Lord Krishna, one of the most popular gods in the Hindu pantheon.

Krishna is often depicted as a bluish boy or prince, always sporting a peacock feather on his crown, and is known for his mischievous nature and a love of butter.

The day of the festival falls on a different date each year, and the actual date this year was on Sept. 2. On that day, Hindus all over the world celebrated with prayers at temples and processions on the streets.

One of the main events on that day is the tradition of breaking an earthenware pot. Teams compete to make human towers to see who can crack a pot hanging several meters high. The ritual signifies Krishna's successful attempt to get to a pot of butter his mother had left hanging in their kitchen when he was a boy.

In Taipei, just like in past years, the day was marked with singing, prayers and dinner at the Indians' Association of Taipei (IAT) as well as at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

Today's cultural event to mark Janmashtami is organized annually by ISKCON, and features many fun filled activities that everyone can enjoy. Some include Indian dances, yoga demonstration, Indian bazaar, henna body art, Indian snacks, singing and chanting, Indian musical instrument performances, dramas and skits, as well as craft and activities for children.

Everyone is invited to participate, no entrance fee required, and people are also welcome to bring family and friends along to enjoy the festivities. The event will be held at the Grand Hall, Taipei City Council B1 (No. 507, Section 4, Renai Road) this afternoon from 4 to 5 p.m.

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