The Hindu festival of Dahi Handi is celebrated across India every year, with special fervour in Maharashtra and Goa. Also called Gopalkala or Uttotsavam, it is celebrated the day after Krishna Janmashtami, which celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Learn more about Dahi Handi, its date, significance and how it is celebrated.
Dahi Handi 2024: Date and Time
Every year Dahi Handi is celebrated on the next day of Krishna Janmashtami. This year Dahi Handi will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 27, while Janmashtami will be celebrated on Monday, August 26.
Ashtami date starts – Aug 26, 3:39am
Ashtami date endss – Aug 27, 2:19 am
Dahi Handi 2024: Significance
The Dahi Handi festival honors Lord Krishna’s childhood pranks. According to legend, young Krishna loved curd (yogurt) and butter (makhan). As he and his friends grew older, they began trying to steal these items from nearby homes. To save their curd and butter, the village women began hanging pots from the roof. But Krishna and his friends outsmarted them by forming a human pyramid to reach the now out-of-reach pots. The Dahi Handi festival celebrates this playful episode from Krishna’s early years.
Dahi Handi 2024: Celebrations
Dahi Handi is a major cultural event in India, celebrated on the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. Over time, it has evolved into a competitive sport, especially in Maharashtra, where it is held on a large scale. “Dahi” means curd, and “Handi” means earthen pot. During the Dahi Handi festival, an earthen pot filled with milk, curd, butter or other dairy products is hung several floors high.
Teams known as Govindas form human pyramids to reach and break the handi suspended in the air. As they attempt to break the handi, the streets erupt with chants of “Govinda Aala Re!” To make the challenge more difficult, they are often sprayed with water or slippery liquids. In recent years, the prize money for the victorious teams has risen to Rs one crore. These celebrations not only challenge the physical strength and teamwork of the Govindas, but also fill everyone with the vibrant spirit of Lord Krishna.
