angshu0105
Atlas didn't Shrug
Origin: Legend has it that as a child, Lord Krishna was very fond of curd and butter. He would gather his friends and they would steal butter from the houses of the milkmaids of Vrindavan. To protect their curd and butter from this gang of naughty children, the milkmaids kept it in a pot and hung it from the ceiling of their houses. Today's practice of Dahi Handi is the same challenge posed by the women of a locality to the young men of their neighbourhood.
The Beckoning Pot: The plan for Dahi Handi begins much before Janmashtami. Contribution is collected from every household in the locality. The day after Janmashtami, women buy large amounts of flattened rice ( poha ), curds, sugar and pickles.
The poha , curds and sugar is mixed together to form dahi-poha , a dish that was said to be a favourite of Lord Krishna. A large earthen pot is then filled with dahi-poha . Tangy pickle is placed in the centre. The pot is decorated on the outside with flowers and leaves. As an added incentive, currency notes are tied to the pot. Now it is ready as the mouth-watering prize.
Human Pyramid: This pot is then hung high up in an open ground. It is a challenge to the youth of the locality to claim this pot. The youth too are ready for the challenge and have practiced their skills.
As soon as the pot is hung, they arrive at the ground which is teeming with spectators, by this time. The youth take a look at the pot hanging high, gauge its height and begin to form a human pyramid to reach it. But the task is not easy.
Triumphant Boys: But the boys love the challenge. Ignoring the slippery bodies and the splash of cold water on their faces, they go on adding tier after tier to their pyramid. Finally, the most agile boy climbs like a cat over the bodies of his friends forming the pyramid. He reaches the summit, carrying a stick in his hands.
The crowd watches with bated breath. One slip and he would fall down from a height of several feet. But he has practiced his art well. He takes the aim and with great accuracy, breaks the pot. Down pours the dahi-poha and there is a scramble to get the money and the prasad .
Atlas didn't Shrug
Origin: Legend has it that as a child, Lord Krishna was very fond of curd and butter. He would gather his friends and they would steal butter from the houses of the milkmaids of Vrindavan. To protect their curd and butter from this gang of naughty children, the milkmaids kept it in a pot and hung it from the ceiling of their houses. Today's practice of Dahi Handi is the same challenge posed by the women of a locality to the young men of their neighbourhood.
The Beckoning Pot: The plan for Dahi Handi begins much before Janmashtami. Contribution is collected from every household in the locality. The day after Janmashtami, women buy large amounts of flattened rice ( poha ), curds, sugar and pickles.
The poha , curds and sugar is mixed together to form dahi-poha , a dish that was said to be a favourite of Lord Krishna. A large earthen pot is then filled with dahi-poha . Tangy pickle is placed in the centre. The pot is decorated on the outside with flowers and leaves. As an added incentive, currency notes are tied to the pot. Now it is ready as the mouth-watering prize.
Human Pyramid: This pot is then hung high up in an open ground. It is a challenge to the youth of the locality to claim this pot. The youth too are ready for the challenge and have practiced their skills.
As soon as the pot is hung, they arrive at the ground which is teeming with spectators, by this time. The youth take a look at the pot hanging high, gauge its height and begin to form a human pyramid to reach it. But the task is not easy.
Triumphant Boys: But the boys love the challenge. Ignoring the slippery bodies and the splash of cold water on their faces, they go on adding tier after tier to their pyramid. Finally, the most agile boy climbs like a cat over the bodies of his friends forming the pyramid. He reaches the summit, carrying a stick in his hands.
The crowd watches with bated breath. One slip and he would fall down from a height of several feet. But he has practiced his art well. He takes the aim and with great accuracy, breaks the pot. Down pours the dahi-poha and there is a scramble to get the money and the prasad .