Dahi Handi 2023: Date, Time, Celebrations and Significance
A day after Krishna Janmashtami, or Gokulashtami, the much-anticipated celebration of Dahi Handi is held. On this day, young boys build a human pyramid to top an earthen handi (or handi) that is hung at an awkward height and filled with fresh butter or curd. The activity is modelled after Lord Krishna’s boyhood theft of maakhan. Gujarat and Maharashtra are the states where people celebrate the day the most.
One day after Lord Krishna’s birthday celebrations, the Dahi Handi festival is observed (Janmashtami). Gopal Kala, a term derived from a dish cooked with sweet jaggery, beaten rice, and thick yoghurt, is another name for the Dahi Handi sport. On the day of Dahi Handi, fresh butter, milk, or curd are also served in earthen pots to Lord Krishna, who loved the same foods.a
Dahi Handi Date in 2023
Thursday, 07 September, 2023
Dahi Handi Celebrations
With time, the Dahi Handi ceremony has evolved into a sort of local celebration where teams compete to break the highest-hanging dahi handis in the allotted amount of time. As kids scramble to grasp and smash the earthen pots, the crowd applauds. The festival has a lengthy history and is recognised as one of the most intriguing and well-known national sports.
The huge clay pot used for Dahi Handi is typically loaded with fruits, honey, butter, curd, and milk. From twenty to forty feet in the air, the pot is hanging. In order for the final person (referred to as “Govinda”) to reach the summit and smash the clay pot, young men and boys build the human pyramids by standing with the assistance of each other’s shoulders.
Dahi Handi Significance
The Dahi Handi celebration honours the joyous style of life of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna used to be a very mischievous child who loved butter and curd. As time went on, his love for butter and curd grew, and he began to playfully steal it, despite the women of the neighbourhood hanging it up high to keep it secure.
However, Lord Krishna and his friends used human pyramids to scale the lofty dahi handis in order to get to the pots. As a result, Lord Krishna was given the nickname “Makhanchor.” This joyous side of Lord Krishna is honoured during the Dahi Handi festival.
