[SLIDESHOW] A deity is born

One of the biggest religious festivals in the world, the Hindu celebration of Janmashtami is celebrated by 930 million people internationally. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhadrapada. In Malta, the Hindu community celebrated Janmashtami last Wednesday.

In an apartment-turned-temple in the heart of San Gwann, the festivities included kirtan, the singing of the Lord's name and japa, which are private, intimate prayers. As multicultural devotees arrived to the tolling of a bell hanging from a garland, each brought with them a plate of offerings. From fruits to sweets and biscuits, all were laid before the statue of the deity.

The praying ground was decorated with garlands and flowers. Incense burned at the foot of the altar, and the image of Krishna was bathed in a variety of auspicious liquids in a kind of ablution.

Commemorating the earthly appearance of Krishna, who is described in India's sacred writings as God Himself, for devotees this was a day of deep spiritual renewal and celebration, finishing an old year and beginning a fresh one. All but the young and the infirm fast all day.

It was a calming and unifying celebration, where people from different walks of life came together to share the same faith and ritual. All were welcomed, irrespective of skin colour or nationality. Everyone just stood as one, rejoicing in the birth of Krishna.

Stories and explanations were offered to those who did not understand the Hindu songs, and insights into Janmashtami's religious context was shared. Young children joined in singing and playing small, hand-held Indian cymbals called manjiras, whilst others sat quietly in prayer.

At the end of the ceremony fruits, biscuits and special Indian sweets made with ghee, milk and sugar were shared.

Sri Krishna is considered by Hindu devotees to be one of the most powerful human incarnations of Lord Vishnu. He was born around 5,200 years ago in Mathura, with the sole objective of freeing the earth from the evils of demons. He played an important role in Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, and propagated the theory of bhakti (devotion to the divine) and good karma, which are explained in the Bhagwat Geeta (that is, one scriptural section of the Mahabharata).

In foreign countries, where Vaishnava temples exist, festivities begin before dawn and finish at midnight, the moment of Krishna's appearance. Some devotees cook a feast of over 100 dishes, while others dance in a ceremony called abhisheka. This can last over two hours and is performed with great pomp.