#Janmashtami: Television actors recall what Janmashtami means to them!

The festival of Janmashtami, i.e. Lord Krishna's birthday is just around the corner. As the streets deck up and the dahi handis come out, we ask our favourite telly actors how they celebrate the auspicious day.

I have many memories of Janmashtami because I used to attend the Dahi Handi celebrations in my childhood. We used to go to temples and I remember I would always lose my shoes in the crazy crowd. Lord Krishna is the God of romance and peace and the most special thing about him is that he has a very charming persona. And coincidentally, my friends who love me a lot especially from Malad, call me Kanhaiya. I relate with Lord Krishna's personality. 

I have never participated in Dahi Handi, but it really excites me when I watch people during Dahi Handi. Once I remember my birthday was on the same day, as Janmashtami and I was invited as a guest. It was an amazing experience. I don't follow or worship Lord Krishna and have never followed any rituals but I have heard many stories.

I have attended quite a few Dahi Handi festivals. I have visited temples and been part of a lot of rituals and ceremonies growing up. My dad was in the army and we used to celebrate every festival with a lot of gaiety and splendor. Going to the temple at midnight during Janmashtami was also part of that celebration. I totally value the teachings of Lord Krishna and resonate with them. His teachings are so relevant and true. Plus, his playful and colourful personality makes him so real and adds so much to his allure.

Dahi Handi is something which reminds me of my childhood days. I was always a Krishna bhakt, like a fully dedicated one, so I used to watch all Krishna TV series and Dahi Handi used to fascinate me the most. So, just to be like Krishna, I used to participate in Dahi Handi celebrations. Whenever I think of Dahi Handi, it brings a smile on my face and refreshes all the memories of my childhood. I like everything about Krishna from his childhood naughtiness, his fair judgments, him helping people to his love story.

Janmashtami for me only means celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. Dahi Handi is the most common form of celebration seen in Maharashtra. It's adventurous but for me it's risky. So, I don't encourage it at all. I respect all religions but I don't follow any. I believe in humanity. I have read Bhagwad Gita which describes a lot about Lord Sri Krishna. I love the Rasleela of Lord Sri Krishna and his style. I find him very stylish among all the other Hindu Gods.

Everything is decorated so well on Janmashtami and you start feeling the festive vibes days before. I have never participated in Dahi Handi celebrations, but I love watching them. Staying in Mumbai now I get to see Dahi Handi, Guri Padwa, Ganpati and all as it is a cosmopolitan city.

We urge all you readers to have a happy and safe Dahi Handi.