In the evening there is a puja, when we sing devotional songs that last uptil midnight.'
'However, unlike earlier years when we would go to the temple at night and join in the festivities and prayers with everyone else, eating from the food stalls and paying obeisance to Lord Krishna, this time I am not sure. With all the swine flu news, I think it's better to avoid the crowds,' Sharma told IANS.
Anupama Das, a teacher, said they also place the idol of a baby Krishna in a cradle on Janmashtami and pray to him.
'Like always we will have an elaborate puja at home on Janmashtami, with the bhog and everything. Later in the evening, I will probably visit the temple for sometime, although I don't want to be stuck in the huge crowd - more so because of the swine flu scare,' Das said.
Children, however, are all set to prepare nativity tableaux in each neighbourhood, an integral part of the Janmashtami festival in the capital.