Janmashtami Special: TV Actors Share Their Nostalgic Memories

Today is Janmashtami, Lord Krishna’s birthday. As the streets deck up and the dahi handis come out, we ask our favourite telly actors how they celebrate the auspicious day.

Shashank Vyas - 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. 

Himanshu Malhotra- 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.

Sehban Azim- 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.

Saurabh Pandey - 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 worship Krishna every day, not just on Janmashtami.  I like everything about Krishna from his childhood naughtiness, his fair judgements, him helping people to his love story.

Sheeba: I love to celebrate all Indian festivals with great love and tradition- on Krishna Janam, I go to the Iskcon temple for Abhishek and Darshan. I do get invited to a lot of Dahi Handi competitions but I get so scared watching kids do the crazy heights, it’s really such a cultural high to live in our rich and culturally diverse country. I am so proud of the love and fervour that is put into our festivals.

Rishina Kandhari - 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 splendour. 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 it. His teachings are so relevant and true. Plus, his playful and colourful personality makes him so real and adds so much to his allure.

Purru Chibber: 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 never followed any rituals but I have heard many stories.

Kunal Thakkur – Janmashtami has always been a special occasion for me. I used to participate as a kid, in the celebrations. The entire colony used to unite in celebrating the festival. It was so much fun. As far as Dahi Handi is concerned, I used to see it every year but was too young to participate.