Janmashtami aka Gokulashtami is a much-awaited Hindi festival celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. The occasion is rung in with a Sri Krishna Janmashtami pooja in several parts of India. In Maharashtra particularly, Krishna Janmashtami is brought in with Dahi handi celebrations. Dahi Handi is an annual sport reserved especially for the occasion. Young men and women form a human pyramid to reach an earthen pot suspended mid-air, filled with buttermilk and flowers. This year, Janmashtami 2019 will be celebrated on 24 August 2019.

With great gusto and enthusiasm, several Govinda mandals (troops) take part in Dahi handi celebrations across Maharashtra and try to break the pot as they chant Govinda aala re.”  As we wait for pictures of colourful celebrations from Janmashtami 2019 to drop in, here’s taking a look at the dahi handi events from the past years.

Devotees form a human pyramid so as to reach and break a dahi hand suspended in the air, celebrating the birth of God Krishna. The clay pot often contains colourful water and flowers.

Lord Krishna was extremely fond of butter and curd. A mischievous little Krishna would often break pots filled with curd and even steal them from neighbouring homes. To keep it out of their reach, these pots were kept at a height or hung from ceilings. However, Krishna and his friends would form a human pyramid and break the pots. Later, Krishna would distribute the curd and butter amongst his friends.

The act of breaking a Dahi handi derives its significance from these very activities of Lord Krishna.

The participants in Dahi handi Janmashtami celebrations are called Govindas because Govinda is another name of Krishna.

Dahi handi is not an official sport but the Bombay HC a couple of years agreed to make it an ‘adventure sport.’ Several restrictions were eased off including the age limit being lowered to 14 for the ‘Govindas.’

Even though Dahi handi is a one-day celebration, mandals prepare and practice their formations weeks in advance. It takes a great deal of focus and coordination to form a human pyramid. Often the pyramid breaks and Govindas suffer a fall, injuring themselves. The lowermost layer has the most members and the topmost usually has a single person.

Over the years, several female troops and mandals have come into existence actively taking part in Dahi Handi celebrations.

In 2012, a Dahi Handi pathak aka mandal from Mumbai entered the Guinness Book of World Records by forming a 9-tier human pyramid reaching a height of 13.35m.

Every mandal of Govindas gets three attempts to break the pot. If they fail, another mandal will come forward. The event also sees the presence of several film and television figures as chief guests. Winners are awarded cash prizes that go up to a crore.

Famous Mandals in Mumbai:

Sankalp Pratishthan Dahi Handi, Worli

Sangharsh Pratishthan Dahi Handi, Thane

Sanskruti Yuva Pratishthan Dahi Handi, Thane

Ram Kadam Dahi Handi, Ghatkopar

NCP Mahim Dahi Handi, Mahim

What is your favourite part about Janmashtami celebrations? If you would like to know more about Lord Krishnam, take a look at our Krishna Janmashtami Special movie collection.

Ganesh Chaturthi Special: Click here for easy-to-make Modak Recipes.