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Govinda or Gokul Ashtami is a feast I try not to miss , I am always there mostly at Dadar Ranade Road shooting the ladies Govinda all dressed in saffron..
JANMASHTAMI LEGENDS
Mathura, on the banks of the river Yamuna, was the capital of the kingdom in North India, where the Yadav people were dwelling. Ugrasen the king of Mathura had one son, Kansa, and one daughter Devki. The king had chosen Vasudev who was a high ranking officer in the king's army, as his daughter's husband.
One of the main occupations of people was to look after the huge herds of cows. They used to live in settlements known as Gokul. Nanda, a friend of Vasudev was the owner of one Gokul.
The wedding of Vasudev and Devki was celebrated with great solemnity. Kansa was riding the chariot in which the newly wedded couple was going towards Gokul. Suddenly a voice from heaven said, "Kansa, fool. You are taking your sister with great pomp. But her eighth son will kill you."
Kansa was from the beginning a bad man. On hearing that warning he stopped the chariot and there and then was ready to kill his sister. Vasudev began to argue with Kansa. Finally he succeeded in persuading him not to kill Devki, with the promise that he would bring all her children to him as soon as they would be born, so that he could dispose of them as he pleased. With this Kansa was satisfied, and decided in his mind to kill all the future children of Devki.
Kansa was a Yadav, but he began to behave like a demon. He began by throwing his father Ugrasen into prison, and he became king. Then he put Vasudev and Devki under strict surveillance in a prison at Mathura. The entire Yadav people began to pray for liberation from the tyranny of Kansa.
Kansa eliminated every child of Devki soon after birth by smashing him against a washing stone. In this way six children were one after the other destroyed. Devki conceived her seventh child. But by divine power this child was changed from Devki's womb to that of Rohini, the second wife of Vasudev, who was living in Gokul. This change was kept secret, and the people thought that Devki had a miscarriage, and so Kansa too thought. But in fact the seventh child was born at Gokul as the son of Rohini and his name was Balram. So six children of Devki had been killed and the seventh one had "disappeared". Kansa was now more vigilant than ever. He reinforced the prison security.
Krishna's Birth:
It was the eighth day of the dark half of Shravan. It was raining and dark. At midnight a bright light appeared in the room of Devki. Vasudev woke up. In that light the idol of Vishnu with four hands appeared. Then the child was born, Devki's eighth son. Vishnu himself took avatar to kill Kansa.
Vasudev heard a voice in his mind, "Get up and take the child to Gokul." The gates of the prison were suddenly opened and the guards were fast asleep. Vasudev put the child in a basket and went out. On account of the heavy rain the Yamuna was swollen. But as he stepped out of the prison the rain stopped and the dim light of the moon showed the way. A huge snake taking the shape of an umbrella protected the child. As he reached the river the waters were divided leaving a dry path for Vasudev to cross.
Vasudev reached Nanda's house when everybody was sleeping. He went into the room of Yashoda, Nanda's wife. He saw a small girl playing near Yashoda. He took the girl and left his son, Krishna, in her place, and immediately returned to Mathura.
On the following day Kansa came to know about the birth of Devki's eighth child. In a hurry he went to snatch the child. Devki began to plead with her brother not to kill the girl. But in yam. Kansa lifted the child by the legs and began to turn her around to smash her on a washing stone. But suddenly the girl slipped from his hand and disappeared. In her place the image of the goddess appeared in the sky. In her four hands she held weapons, and her splendour spread on all sides. She spoke to Kansa, "You wanted to kill me. Your enemy, the one who will kill you, has taken birth and is growing elsewhere."
Meanwhile a great commotion was going on at Gokul, because of the boy's birth. This boy was Krishna who later killed his uncle Kansa.
Dahihandi
The celebration of Krishna's birth is also known as "Dahihandi". An earthen pot ("handi") filled with curds and "jvari" ("jondhala")- a grain blown out by parching ("lahya") - is tied from a high rope. Young men form a human tower by climbing one upon the other to break the pot. Then the contents are eaten as "prasad" amidst acclamations of "Govind", "Govind", another name for Krishna.
From wikipedia
Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Shraavana in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatram is ascendent. The Hindu calendar being lunar, these two events the day being the eighth of the waning moon (Krishna-paksha Ashtami) and the Rohini Nakshatram being ascendent may overlap for only a few hours. In such an event, the festival may be celebrated on different (but successive) days by different people, depending on their local or family traditions.
The festival falls sometime in the months of August/September of the Gregorian calendar.
The ritual is to fast the previous day (Saptami, seventh day), which is followed by a night-long vigil commemorating the birth of Krishna at night, and his immediate removal by his father to a foster-home for safe-keeping. At midnight, the deity of the infant Krishna is bathed, placed in a cradle and worshipped. The traditional Prasad is 'Panchajiri', made of five ingredients (ginger, 'suva', coriander, sugar and ghee. It can include poppy seeds (khaskhas) and coconut.). The fast is completed after aarti, a special prayer.
In the early morning, ladies draw patterns of little children's feet outside the house with rice-flour paste, walking towards the house. This symbolizes the entry of the infant Krishna into his foster-home. This performed to recreate incidents from the life of Krishna and commemorate his love for Radha.
Care is taken among certain circles not to imitate the Rasa Lila in a mundane way. It is said that one should not imitate the Rasa Lila even in dreams. The idea is that Krishna, or God's pastimes cannot be understood by the mundane mind-set and discussing them should therefore be avoided altogether. Krishna's pastimes with Srimati Radha can never be understood by materialistic people, they are transcendental and great care should be taken to present them in such manner.
While the Rasa Lila recreates the youthful Krishna's alliance with the milkmaids (gwale) of his native land, the "Dahi-Handi" tradition of Maharashtra re-enacts his childhood pranks, wherein Krishna and his young friends helped themselves to butter and other goodies in the houses of their neighbours. Clay pots called "Dahi-Handi", filled with curd and butter, are suspended high above the ground. To a constant chorus of "Govinda, Govinda" from all those present, teams of young men form human pyramids to reach the pot and break it, to the merriment of the youths and of the assembly.
The festival is thus celebrated with great joy and communal togetherness by one and all.
[edit] Dahi Handi (Human Towers) Celebrations in Maharashtra
Govinda Pathaks forming human tower to break the Dahi handiIn Mumbai and Pune, Janmaashtami, popularly known here as Dahi Handi is celebrated with enormous zeal and enthusiasm. Various Handis (in this context, a Handi is a clay pot, suspended high above the ground, containing prizes) are set up locally in almost every nook and corner of the city, and groups of youngsters, called Govinda Pathaks (English: Troupes of Lord Krishna) travel around in trucks trying to break as many handis as possible during the day.
Many such Govinda Pathaks compete with each other, especially for the handis that dole out hefty rewards. The event, in recent times, has gathered a political flavor, and it is not uncommon for political parties, and rich community groups to offer prizes amounting to lakhs of rupees.
Some of the most famous handis are at Dadar, Mazgaon, Lalbaug and some in Thane a neighboring district of Mumbai and Babu Genu, Mandai in Pune.
Mumbai, India
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
Women aren't too far behind! A 'govinda' comprising of only ladies tries their hand at a pyramid. Here they are successful in erecting a 4-layered structure. The applause that these ladies got was phenomenal. Too bad you can't hear it through the photo!!
Mumbai, India
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
Girgaum, Mumbai, India
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
Girgaum, Mumbai, India
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
Shivaji Park is the largest park in Mumbai. It is situated in the Dadar area of Mumbai. Like the Azad Maidan and August Kranti Maidan (formerly Gowalia Tank Grounds), it is also of historical and cultural value because of the amount of political and social gatherings it has witnessed, both in pre- and post-independence Mumbai.
The park is named after the legendary 17th century warrior king of the region, Chhatrapati Shivaji. The park was created in 1925 by the Bombay Municipal Corporation, in the days of British India. By naming it thus, the British authorities acknowledged Shivaji and the reverence his name commanded amongst the local Marathi population. Ironically, in his time Shivaji had also foreseen the ulterior motives of the British East India Company and challenged the growing British presence in India.
Besides being a venue for gatherings of freedom fighters in British India, after independence Shivaji Park has been the focal point of the 'Samyukta Maharashtra Chalval' (struggle for a consolidated Maharashtra) that led to the present Maharashtra state being formed in 1960. During this period, the legendary writer, journalist, playwright, poet and social leader Acharya Prahlad Keshav Atre led this movement, addressing crowds of lakhs at this ground, earning him the distinct title of 'Lord of Shivaji Park'. Also, on India's victory over Pakistan in the 1965 war, then prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and defence minister Yeshwantrao Chawhan addressed a 'Vijaysabha' (victory gathering) at this very ground. Shivaji Park has also been integral to the political gatherings of the local party Shiv Sena, and has witnessed numerous other political rallies.
The ground is flanked around its edge by a katta (low boundary wall on which one can sit), which is a popular hangout for young and old Mumbaikars (people of Mumbai) alike, and it can often be difficult to get a place to sit here on an average evening. The walk-way around the ground perimeter is crowded with people taking walks, especially in the evenings. The circumference of the park works out to about 1.3 kilometers.
Roughly 500 acres (2.0 km2) in area, the ground bustles with budding cricketers throughout the day. Around the park, one finds numerous institutions/attractions such as the Samarth Vyayam Mandir (gymnasium), Shivaji Park Nagarik Sangh (established in 1947), Shivaji Park Gymkhana (club), Children's Park, Nana-Nani Park (Gran'pa-Gran'ma park), Scout's Pavilion (which also doubles up as a popular venue for marriages), Udhyan Ganesh Mandir (Ganesh temple), The Bengal Club and a library. The walk-way is lined with huge rain trees that offer respite from the scorching afternoon sun.
Though there are numerous entrances to the park, the most prominent is the one on the east side of the ground intended only for pedestrians. A bust of Meenatai Thackeray, late wife of Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray, has been placed at this entrance. Previously a bust of Ram Ganesh Gadkari was present at the very same spot.
If one notices the grand statue of Shivaji adorning this maidan (ground), it is surprising to note that this is one of the very few statues in which Shivaji is depicted without having drawn out his sword. Instead, Shivaji is shown simply leading the way with his arm outstretched. A creation of 1966 out of funds collected from the local population, this statue is a rare example of the pacifist policies of the then state government of Maharashtra, in independent India. It was considered a sensitive issue by the government to let this statue depict the confrontationist posture of Shivaji, who had fought many battles against the Mughal Empire.
The surroundings of this park have many buildings dating back to the mid-1900s, and the Shivaji Park residential zone is today some of the most sought-after and expensive real estate in Mumbai. This predominantely Marathi neighbourhood is home to many well-known personalities from literature, theatre, commerce and sports. Some of its prominent residents include Manohar Joshi, Raj Thackeray, Anup Jalota as well as the Mayor of Mumbai, Shubha Raul. Others such as Sachin Tendulkar were born and brought up here.
In modern times though, one relates Shivaji Park more with being the cradle of Indian cricket, with its innumerable cricket academies like those of late Anna Vaidya and Ramakant Acharekar which produced several international cricketers for India. Some famous names being Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Ajit Agarkar, Pravin Amre, Vinod Kambli and Sanjay Manjarekar.
Girgaum, Mumbai, India
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
Govinda was started somewhere in the eighteenth century in Girgaum in Mumbai. Originally the sport was a religious ceremony to celebrate the birth of the Hindu god Krishna.. On Krishna birthd
ay, earthen pot filled with Dahi i.e.; curd and butter and other eatables preferably bananas would be hung at a suitable height, and Govindas make a human pyramid under the pot and then a little boy most probably the youngest child would climb over them, reach the pot and then break it.
That's a perfect six! A 'govinda' successfully builds a 6-layered human pyramid and the kid on top salutes to the crowd who are applauding the achievement. You can also see hands of support down below... trying to cushion the fall of the guys who usually take the easy way out and just let themselves go while coming down.
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) offering prayers before forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
India-Mumbai.
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
Celebration of Janmashtami, birth of the famous Lord Krishna includes a number of ceremonies like, Raslila, Jhankis (tableaux) etc. Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony, celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and glee. Dahi Handi is an enactment of Lord Krishna's efforts to steal butter from Matka (earthen pot) suspended from the ceiling.
Dahi Handi festival re-enacts the story of Krishna as a child stealing ghee (purified butter). The milkmaids would protect their ghee by keeping it in a pot and hanging the from the ceiling. Today the ghee pot is hung by a rope and the participants build a human tower to reach it and break it open.
a cultural tradition, performed on the birthday of lord Krishna...
.© All rights reserved, don´t use this image without my permission. Contact me at debmalya86@gmail.com
Mumbai, India
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
These photos caputure the festivity of Dahi Handi (pot of curd), which is popular in Maharashtra to celebrate.Janmashtami, the birth day of Lord Krishna. In the month of August- September.
Krishna would love to eat butter and curd, this would be kept in pots hanging from the roof tops.
So as a child he and his friend would form a human pyramid (just like in the photos) to reach the pots and steal the butter. He would enter the houses of the many gopis and carry out his mischief. In spite of this he was loved by one and all.
There are many folk tales and songs spun around this story and are very popular all over India.
This is called Dahi Handi in Maharashtra, were people will tie the dahi handi along with some cash award. During the day various groups come and take the challenge by building mult-story human layers.
At the place were I took these photos the qualifying levels were seven human layers.
In the evening the qualified groups take the challenge of going even higher. At this place the max layers which were made was 9 human layer. This is believed to be a world record.
Mumbai, India
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
Govindas form a human pyramid in this Shiv Sena (a regional poitical party in the state of Maharashtra )sponsored handi ( Pot ).Nowadays all the main handis are broken in the evening to prolong the event. Mean while groups of these Govindas form the human pyaramid without breaking the handi ( pot ) and earn little trophies throughout the day as Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray makes a strong point from the banner.
Mumbai, India
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
Girgaum, Mumbai, India
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Sri Krishna.
Dahi Handi celebrate Krishna's playful and mischievous childhood where teams of young men form human pyramids to reach a high-hanging pot of butter(Dahi Handi)
and break it.
Dahi Handi is a popular activity in Maharshtra, held during Janmashtami & commemorating the antics of a young Lord Krishna. This time around, due to health cautions regarding Swine Flu, the Handi festival in Mumbai was much muted.
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 are 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. You can see the pot on the top right.
Human Pyramid: This pot is hung high up in an open ground, 30 to 50 feet above ground level. 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 was hung, they arrived at the ground. The group (called Govindas!)measure up the pot hanging high, gauged its height and began to form a human pyramid to reach it. But the task is not easy. Ignoring the slippery bodies the boys went on adding tier after tier to their pyramid. Finally, the smallest boy climbed like a cat over the bodies of his friends forming the pyramid. He reached the summit, his frail boady, appearing from below like a bird about to fly away...
Mumbai, India
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
Mumbai, India
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
Mumbai, India
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
Mumbai, India
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
The youngest kid is usually at the top to break the pot. The dexterity of some teams are amazing, usually the experienced lot break the pots within 2-3 minutes. These teams are called "govinda's" and during this festival of Gokulstami (Krishna's birth) they roam around Bombay trying to break as many pots as possible)...chek out my Gokulstami stream for more snaps
Govinda was started somewhere in the eighteenth century in Girgaum in Mumbai. Originally the sport was a religious ceremony to celebrate the birth of the Hindu god Krishna.. On Krishna birthd
ay, earthen pot filled with Dahi i.e.; curd and butter and other eatables preferably bananas would be hung at a suitable height, and Govindas make a human pyramid under the pot and then a little boy most probably the youngest child would climb over them, reach the pot and then break it.
Celebration of Janmashtami, birth of the famous Lord Krishna includes a number of ceremonies like, Raslila, Jhankis (tableaux) etc. Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony, celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and glee. Dahi Handi is an enactment of Lord Krishna's efforts to steal butter from Matka (earthen pot) suspended from the ceiling.
Govinda was started somewhere in the eighteenth century in Girgaum in Mumbai. Originally the sport was a religious ceremony to celebrate the birth of the Hindu god Krishna.. On Krishna birthd
ay, earthen pot filled with Dahi i.e.; curd and butter and other eatables preferably bananas would be hung at a suitable height, and Govindas make a human pyramid under the pot and then a little boy most probably the youngest child would climb over them, reach the pot and then break it.
Govinda was started somewhere in the eighteenth century in Girgaum in Mumbai. Originally the sport was a religious ceremony to celebrate the birth of the Hindu god Krishna.. On Krishna birthd
ay, earthen pot filled with Dahi i.e.; curd and butter and other eatables preferably bananas would be hung at a suitable height, and Govindas make a human pyramid under the pot and then a little boy most probably the youngest child would climb over them, reach the pot and then break it.
Mumbai, India
“The Govindas” (Troupes of Lord Krishna) forming a human pyramid to break the handi which is suspended at a height of 20 to 40 feet. More than 400 organisations set up dahi handis all over the city.
Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony held on the second day of Janmashthami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. The word ‘dahi’ means ‘curd,’ while ‘handi’ means pot. These words refer to the pot of curd, which is to be claimed as a prize during this special ceremony.
This ceremony actually reenacts the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna, who had a special affinity towards milk and butter. The lord along with his friends used to steal milk and butter from the houses in their village. Usually these food items would be hung from the roof beams to keep them out of reach. The Lord along with his friends used to form a human pyramid and reach the food items and steal them.
Govinda was started somewhere in the eighteenth century in Girgaum in Mumbai. Originally the sport was a religious ceremony to celebrate the birth of the Hindu god Krishna.. On Krishna birthd
ay, earthen pot filled with Dahi i.e.; curd and butter and other eatables preferably bananas would be hung at a suitable height, and Govindas make a human pyramid under the pot and then a little boy most probably the youngest child would climb over them, reach the pot and then break it.