Dahi Handi

The festival of Dahi Handi is celebrated on the ninth day of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada i.e. the next day of Janmashtami. At many places this festival is celebrated on the same day as Krishna Janmashtami. This festival is celebrated with great pomp and joy in the states like Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Maharashtra and Gujarat, but now this festival is gradually being celebrated all over India. This festival is a symbolic form of the childhood pastimes of Shri Krishna. This festival is celebrated with great pomp to remember his childhood exploits. Let us know what is the nature of Shri Krishna's childhood play?

Shri Krishna's childhood drama (pastimes)

According to religious beliefs, it is said that Shri Krishna was very mischievous in his childhood. In Dwapar Yuga, Shri Krishna used to steal curd and butter from his and neighbors’ houses, break curd pots and eat them and also distribute them among his friends. That's why he was also fondly called the butter thief. Fed up with his mischief, all the Gopis started hanging their butter pots at a height. Even after so many efforts, Lord Shri Krishna did not agree and with the help of his friends, he broke the pot and ate the butter. Fed up with these mischiefs of Lord Shri Krishna, the Gopis used to go to Shri Krishna's house with complaints. Remembering these playful antics and incorporating them into the divine childhood pastimes, today, people celebrate the Dahi Handi festival in honor of Lord Krishna's mischievous childhood leelas (divine play).

How to celebrate Dahi Handi?

In the Dahi Handi festival, a pot filled with curd is hung outside the house or in the street. The village children form their own groups and break this pot. This tradition of breaking the pot reminds us of the childhood pastimes of Shri Krishna. In the Dahi Handi festival, there is also a competition to break a pot filled with curd. In this festival, children and youngsters come in their own groups and make pyramids to break the clay pot filled with curd. The team which is successful in breaking this pot is the winning team and that team is given a prize. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. On this day, there are beautiful decorations in all the streets and localities. A competition for breaking Dahi Handi is organized with music and dance.

Importance of breaking Dahi Handi

The Dahi Handi festival holds special significance because it is believed that breaking the pot filled with curd brings an end to all the troubles in the household, and all sorrows are dispelled. The grace of Lord Krishna always remains with the household where the pot of curd is broken, and that home becomes filled with prosperity and happiness. Lord Krishna himself comes to see his playful pastimes, and those who participate in this competition their lives filled with joy. Lord Krishna takes away all their troubles and fills their homes with happiness.