How to celebrate the Dahi Handi festival?
Why Does Sanatan Dharma Celebrate Dahi Handi: Janmastami, on this day, devotees of Lord Krishna observe fast, decorate temples, and celebrate the birth of Laddu Gopal by making tableaux. Along with Janmashtami, there is another colorful tradition, which we know as Dahi Handi.
This is a special kind of program. Generally, this festival is celebrated all over India, but its special glimpse is seen in Maharashtra. On this day there will be Dahi Handi competitions at various places, where the entire atmosphere will be filled with devotion and enthusiasm due to music, drums, and the enthusiasm of the crowd. Our article today is also on this topic. We are going to tell you about the history and importance of the Dahi Handi festival. Let’s know in detail-
Importance of Dahi Handi and its story
On the occasion of Lord Krishna’s birthday, i.e., Krishna Janmashtami, Dahi Handi festival is celebrated all over the country. ‘Dahi’ means curd, and ‘Handi’ means an earthen pot filled with milk products. It is also known as Gopalkala and Utlotsavam in Maharashtra. This is a big festival of Maharashtra, which is celebrated to remember the events related to the life of Lord Krishna.
The tradition is related to the child Leela of Lord Krishna
According to Hindu beliefs, in his childhood, Lord Krishna loved curd, butter, and milk products very much. His love for them was so much that he started stealing these things from the neighbouring houses. For this, he formed a gang of his friends. To save butter and curd, the women of the village used to fill them in earthen pots and hang them high from the roof. The reason for this was that Lord Krishna was short in height and he could not reach there.
This is how Lord Krishna broke the Dahi handi:
Although Lord Krishna was not one to give up, he, along with his friends, found a way to form a human pyramid and broke the pot. This is the reason why the Dahi Handi festival is celebrated on the occasion of Janmashtami. Even today, when this festival is organized, the same scene from Lord Krishna’s time can be seen.
The Handi is hung at a height
Let us tell you that milk, curd, butter, and many other milk products are filled in a pot and hung at a height of several floors. Teams of men, called ‘Govindas’, reach the top by forming a pyramid. During this, women, who symbolize the women in Lord Krishna’s neighborhood, pour water and slippery things on the ground from above. So that it becomes difficult for the Govindas to climb up.
The atmosphere is worth seeing
The youngest Govinda, who climbs to the top, breaks the pot, and the things inside it are distributed among all the participants. During this entire event, the drums, traditional songs, and the enthusiasm of the crowd make the atmosphere very exciting. This atmosphere is worth seeing.
This is the message of the Dahi Handi festival
Dahi Handi is not just a game, but it is also considered a symbol of courage, teamwork, and unity. Just like Krishna and his friends completed this difficult task in no time, this festival teaches us that with unity and courage, any height can be achieved.
ALSO READ: Why Is Janmastami Celebrated In India?
