In Uttar Pradesh, the festival is being celebrated with enthusiasm, peace and gaiety.

The temples, especially those at Mathura and Vrindavan and ISKCON temples in several cities of the state have been decorated for the occasion.

At the Bankey Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, the Krishna Janma Bhoomi and Dwarakadhish Temple in Mathura, the festival is celebrated at night. Devotees perform the Mangla Darshan at midnight.

Adequate security arrangements have been made in Mathura. The railways have announced the plying of seven special trains for devotees coming to Mathura to celebrate Janmashtami.

Meanwhile, Mumbaikars woke up to the sounds of youngsters going around the city in processions, vying for the prized 'dahi handis'.

With prizes as high as Rs 31 lakh at some places, the youngsters, including some all-women troupes, wounded their way to the 'handis' in Mumbai and adjoining Thane, vying for the prizes.

Lord Krishna was born on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in Shravan month. The day is celebrated as Janmashtami.

Today is also being celebrated as the Gopal Kala, which literally means to eat different types of food mixed together, as Krishna is believed to have done with his cowherd friends.

Last year, the swine flu scare subdued the 'dahi handi' celebrations in Mumbai. This year, the festival comes in the backdrop of rising malaria cases in the financial capital.

Of the over 600 Govinda mandals in the city, the most popular are at Dadar and Worli in central Mumbai. The event is expected to continue throughout the day and late into the night.