For this figure’s birthday, celebrants eat a khoyā-based sweet called peḍā from his birthplace. The Maṇipurī and Kathak classical dance traditions evolved from a round dance from Braj (“brudge”) centered on this figure and his chief consort, venerated together by bhakts like Jaya·deva. This male figure venerated by Mīrābāī (“MEE-rah BAH-ee”) is celebrated by drawing baby footprints on doorsteps during a birthday celebrated in August or September. Competitors form human pyramids to try reaching a hanging prize called a dahī hāṇḍī on a birthday called his Janmāshṭamī (“jun-MOSH-tuh-mee”). Dance-drama reenactments of this figure’s life called rāslīlā often draw on the Bhāgavata Purāṇa and depict the blissful dance of the gopīs of Vrindāvan and Mathurā (“MUH-too-rah”), who were led by Rādhā and this figure. For 10 points, ISKCON venerates what flute-playing cowherd, an avatar of Vishṇu? ■END■
ANSWER: Krishna [accept Krishna Janmāshṭamī; accept Govinda or Madhava or Gopala; accept the International Society for Krishna Consciousness; prompt on Vishnu until read; prompt on Hari]
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= Average correct buzz position