18 Captivating Photos Of Kids Dressed Up As Hindu Gods And Goddesses

The cuteness factor is high on this holy day.

Hindus around the world are celebrating Janmashtami, a holiday marking the birth of Krishna, a beloved and multifaceted god believed to be the supreme deity of the Universe.

But none celebrated the festive day quite as well as children did throughout India, dressed in elaborate costumes of Krishna and his consort, the goddess Radha.

Children dressed up as Hindu Lord Krishna pose during Janmashtami festival celebrations in Agartala, India on August 24, 2016.
Children dressed up as Hindu Lord Krishna pose during Janmashtami festival celebrations in Agartala, India on August 24, 2016.
Jayanta Dey / Reuters

Krishna is a prominent figure in the Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse scripture set on a battlefield that contains some of the most important teachings of Hinduism. The god is often depicted in the form of a dark-skinned young boy playing a flute, wearing a peacock feather crown and yellow garments.

To his devotees, Krishna is not only the supreme lord, but also a dear friend, beloved child, and wise teacher.

According to Hindu teachings, Krishna was born at midnight on the ashtami or the 8th day of the Hindu lunar month of Shravan in a prison to Vasudev and Devaki in the town of Mathura. Moments after his birth he escaped to the village of Gokul, where he was raised by foster parents Nanda and Yasoda.

Stories of Krishna’s youth paint a picture of a mischievous and endearing flute-playing cowherd who loved to play pranks on everyone and flirt with the gopis, or cowgirls.

Celebrations on Janmashtami include re-enactments of popular tales from Krishna’s childhood. Many devotees fast on this day and stay up all night worshiping, listening to stories about Krishna’s childhood and singing devotional songs.

Many Hindus believe that one night when Krishna played the flute, all the gopis of the village were so entranced that they left their houses and families to come and dance with him in the forest for the entire night.

Throughout the schools, homes and streets of India on Janmashtami, you’ll see young boys and girls dressed up as Krishna and Radha, and the effect is positively enchanting.

Scroll down to see photos of children dressed up for the festive holiday:

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A boy dressed like Lord Sri Krishna takes part in the celebration of the religious festival Janmashtami, marking the birth anniversary of Lord Sri Krishna. Lord Krishna, the eighth of the ten incarnations of Hindu God Lord Vishnu, who is considered the Preserver of the Universe, is one of Hinduism's most popular gods.
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A child dressed as Lord Krishna during the Janmashtami celebrations on August 24, 2016 in Jalandhar, India.
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A boy dressed like Lord Sri Krishna takes part in the celebration of the religious festival Janmashtami.
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A girl participates in the celebration of the religious festival Janmashtami.
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A boy dressed like Lord Sri Krishna celebrates Janmashtami.
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A boy and girl dressed like Lord Sri Krishna and Radha take part in the celebration of the religious festival Janmashtami.
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A man with a child dressed as Lord Sri Krishna take part in the celebration of the religious festival Janmashtami.
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A girl dressed like Radha, a Hindu goddess frequently depicted alongside Krishna, takes part in the celebration of Janmashtami.
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Indian children dressed as Hindu god Lord Krishna pose for a photograph at a fancy dress competition on the occasion of Janamashthami in Hyderabad on August 25, 2016.
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A boy dressed like Lord Sri Krishna takes part in the celebration of Janmashtami.
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An Indian child dressed as Hindu god Lord Krishna looks on during the celebrations of Janmashtami in Mumbai on August 25, 2016.
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Indian children dressed as Hindu god Lord Krishna and his consort Radha pose at a fancy dress competition on the occasion of Janamashthami in Hyderabad on August 25, 2016.
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Students at play school dressed like Lord Krishna at a program ahead of Janmashtami on August 24, 2016 in Noida, India.
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Kids perform a dance on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, on August 25, 2016 in Bhopal, India.
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Children dressed up as Lord Krishna and Radha on the eve of the Janmashtami on August 24, 2016 in Patiala, India.
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Students participate in celebrations ahead of the Janmashtami festival in Mumbai, India, August 23, 2016.
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A girl dressed up as Hindu Lord Krishna performs during Janmashtami festival celebrations in Ahmedabad, India on August 25, 2016.
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Children dressed up as Hindu Lord Krishna pose during Janmashtami festival celebrations in Agartala, India on August 24, 2016.

Damon Scheleur contributed to this article.

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