Truckloads of revellers. Chanting.

Garlands of marigolds. Balloons. Hanging apples and other fruit.

Human pyramids.

Cracking pots and falling water. And cheers. Govinda a la re!

Mumbai is celebrating Gokulashtami!

The birth of Krishna is celebrated with a tableau from a chapter of his life every year in Maharashtra.

Lord Krishna had an intense passion for butter. As a plump youngster, the blue, lovable hero of India's folklore, was famous for stealthily raiding his mom's kitchen. He would get together with a band of playmates and climb upon their shoulders to the pot of butter hanging high up in the kitchen and lick it clean.

On Janmashtami/Gokulashtami pots, filled with money and sweets as enticement and coloured water, are hung all across Mumbai for bands of boys and men, who are playing Krishna for the day, to come and raid. The pots are hung especially high and the boys -- and now girls -- form human pyramids to reach them.

Photograph: Arun Patil

Also read: Get ready for Dahi Handi

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