Dahi Handi
Post categories: Student blog
| 04:28 UK time, Monday, 7 March 2011
Hi All,
Sorry for being little bit late in posting new blog. Today I am going to give you some glimpse of the festival which is very much famous in Maharashtra (one of the state/Province in India). Since I belong to Maharashtra state, I am quite excited about this festival as it's been largely celebrated here only. Actually i belong to a small town, Hinganghat, which is 800 km away from Pune as well as from Mumbai. At present I am leaving in Pune. And I am very happy to be here in Pune, as it's very cool city compared to Mumbai, where life is very fast. You need to be always on your toes if you are leaving in Mumbai. Ok, let's switch back to our festival discussion, Dahi Handi; yeah it's a local name for the festival. Where, 'Dahi' means curd and 'Handi' means pot
'Dahi Handi' is celebrated on very next day of Lord Krishna's birth anniversary which will fall somewhere between the month of Aug and September (and yes every year it doesn't come on the same date). The celebration is nothing but the enactment of Lord Krishna's stealing of curd along with his friend's from the clay pot which would lie suspended from the ceiling of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½.
In a similar fashion a clay pot filled with curd will be hung 30-50 ft above the ground using rope. And there will be number of teams who will be participating to do the task, where each team will form a human pyramid to reach that height and break the pot and it requires a lot of courage and zeal as it's not the Pride of the team which is at stake but also the reward. And finally whoever does that will be awarded with a Trophy along with a cash Prize. As I remember last year the prize for one of the 'Dahi Handi' was a hopping 75 lakh ($ 750000). And as I know the cash prize is directly proportional to the height from where the pot is suspended, if it's hung at higher height then reward has to be on higher side. And the team which was awarded $ 750000 had broken the pot hung at a height of around 50 ft. Even the girls use to be member of some of the team. Dahi Handi is celebrated with great pomp and vigor each year.
So, if by chance if you come to India during the month of Aug/September, then do check about the event, and if you are happen to be there, then really you are lucky enough to witness the event. In next blog I will come back with some more interesting things...till then enjoy reading this one and yes keep on posting your comment as it really inspire me to write another one.
Comment number 1.
At 7th Mar 2011, Elisabeth wrote:Hi Pravin,
This definitely is one of the most interesting celebrations I have ever read about! I can't help wondering why Lord Krishna stole some curd in the first place. Was he just being naughty? But that would hardly be significant enough to lay the foundations for a big festival, would it? Anyway, I take it as proof of your people's sense of humour - though I'm a bit worried too: It does look a trifle dangerous how high those pyramids have to be "built"... How many participants end up injured every year??
Looking forward to your next post,
Elisabeth from Austria
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Comment number 2.
At 7th Mar 2011, mauricio wrote:Hi Pravin,
I was glad to know about this festival. I'd never heard of a festival like that before.
Is the prize you mentioned in dollars? If it is, it's really a good reason to
But I guess people must do it not only for the money but also to keep the tradition of the festival.
Your country really is very fascinating...
Thank you for sharing your culture with us..
Best wishes,
Mauricio.
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Comment number 3.
At 7th Mar 2011, mauricio wrote:I left an unfinished sentence because I was looking for a word and I forgot to complete it.
" Is the prize you mentioned in dollars? If it is, it's really a good reason to try even harder....
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Comment number 4.
At 8th Mar 2011, Tereza wrote:Hello Pravin,
this is very interesting tradition! We don't have anything similar here in Czech republic, I think. It must be a big fun... but, as Elisabeth wrote, quite dangerous. Nevertheless, I would like to see it one day.
Have a nice day,
Tereza
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Comment number 5.
At 9th Mar 2011, Virag75 wrote:Hello Pravin!
I love your blog on your awesome country, India. My secret dream is to visit it at once. I know that Krisna stole the curd, because I had a very special experience on last summer. There are some people in my country (Hungary), who believe in Krisna and follow Indian religious and culture. They live in a little village relatively far from my city. But last summer they came to visit us, dancing and singing in the streets. I felt a great wish to join them and sing for Krisna with them. And I did it! It was a very interesting experience, because I could feel the love in the air among these religious people. Well, they left my city, but I had read about Krisna a lot in the last time. I find Indian culture is very-very interesting and different from Hungary life-style ...
By the way are you vegetarian? I guess, you are.
Have very nice day! I'm waiting new posts!:-)
Virag
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Comment number 6.
At 9th Mar 2011, Marcello wrote:Hello Pravin
It sounds really interesting.
I have a couple of questions for you. Where do the teams come from? Who are the players of the teams ? Do they share any ideals ?
Thank you
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Comment number 7.
At 10th Mar 2011, Elisa Oliveira wrote:Hi Pravin
I have the same Marcello's questions.
Here, in Brazil, there aren’t any festivals like that; it's really interesting to know about. Next time, perhaps, can you post some photos? I couldn't found anyone on web.
Thank you very much. I'm waiting your new post eagerly!
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Comment number 8.
At 11th Mar 2011, MIchael wrote:Hello pravin:
I am very happy to read your post again.I am in India at the moment.I heard that there is a very big festival next week.But I do not
remember what is the name of the festival.Somebody tells me that It need to paint the color on other people's body and face.It is sounded very interesting.
Best
Michael
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Comment number 9.
At 13th Mar 2011, Ray wrote:Hello pravin
I'm very interested in your festival.it's look very funny.l hope to visit India and join this festival.
Have a nice day ^^"
Ray
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Comment number 10.
At 17th Mar 2011, Hammad Hussain wrote:Hi, Pravin
Although I live in karachi, Pakistan, but I have observed a similar kind of festival in my locality where a small community of Hindoos is residing. But instead of curd, there was something else in the pot. They were throwing colors on each other and probably the pot was also filled with color. It was fun to look at. I as well as my neighboring friends enjoyed that event a lot.
Best wishes,
Hammad
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Comment number 11.
At 25th May 2011, sanju wrote:Hi Pravin
I'm very big fen of your blogs.whatevery you written in your blogs you presndt them very beautifully....... I'm also from India (Uttrakhand) states.........I waana you should wite something about this beautiful states.you can share your though with the people of words about this beautiful states.
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