Latest news with #Gopalakala
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Govinda Pathak Culture 2025: Who They Are And Their Dahi Handi Janmashtami Traditions
Dahi Handi 2025 Celebrations: Streets come alive with chants, music, and the daring human pyramids built by spirited groups known as Govinda Pathaks during Dahi Handi. Dahi Handi 2025 Celebrations: The vibrant festival of Dahi Handi, celebrated with great zeal during Janmashtami, marks one of Mumbai's most awaited cultural spectacles. Also known as Gopalakala in Maharashtra, Dahi Handi is celebrated on the next day of Krishna Janmashtami in the cities of Maharashtra and Gujarat. 'Dahi' translates to 'the curd', and 'handi' means 'earthen pot used to process and store milk products'. As the city gears up for another Janmashtami on August 16, the streets will come alive with chants, music, and the daring human pyramids built by spirited groups known as Govinda Pathaks. But who exactly are these Govindas, and what is this tradition? The Dahi Handi celebration recreates the childhood adventures of Lord Krishna. In his childhood, young Krishna was so fond of butter that he used to steal it from earthen pots from neighbourhood homes. To keep them out of reach, they started hanging milk products from the ceiling like a chandelier. But Krishna, being the naughty one, devised the idea of forming a human pyramid. He used to climb atop his folks and break the hanging pot. Since then, this mythology has come alive as Govinda Pathaks. Every year, this event from the life of Lord Krishna is played by the young troop of boys and girls during Janmashtami. Govinda Pathak: Who They Are Govinda Pathaks (also known as Govindas) are dedicated teams of performers who participate in the celebrated Dahi Handi festival. Boys and girls form complex human pyramids to break suspended earthen pots of curd, milk, butter, and nuts, symbolising young Lord Krishna's playful activities. Govinda Pathak: What They Do For the Govindas, Dahi Handi is more than tradition. Teams train together for weeks, focusing on core strength, balance drills, and fall safety. The goal? Climb atop teammates in a tiered human pyramid, and smash the handi in a feat of strength, unity, balance, and sheer courage. In recent years, female Govinda Pathaks and even visually impaired groups have participated, bringing new meaning and inclusivity to the sport. Mumbai's first visually impaired Govinda pathak, trained by the Nayan Foundation, was founded in 2010. The foundation is breaking barriers and bringing joy into the lives of visually impaired youth through adventure, community, and celebration. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dahi Handi 2025: The wild origin story that turned a pot of curd into Janmashtami's most dangerous and thrilling ritual
How do you celebrate Krishna Janmashtami? Maybe you fast, pray at midnight, sing bhajans for Lord Krishna, or watch Rasa Lila plays. But for many, Janmashtami also means clambering up on human pyramids to break a pot of curd, the thrilling tradition called Dahi Handi. The real reason behind Dahi Handi If you've ever wondered why this tradition exists, the answer lies in Krishna's childhood in Vrindavan. Hindu mythology says young Krishna was a mischievous boy who loved maakhan (butter), curd, and milk. He didn't just wait for it to be served, he'd sneak into homes and steal it. This earned him the nickname Maakhan Chor (butter thief). The women of Vrindavan tried to outsmart him by hanging pots of butter high up, out of his reach. But Krishna, never one to give up, would gather his friends, form a human pyramid, and snatch the butter anyway. That playful spirit is exactly what Dahi Handi celebrates. From Vrindavan to across India Over time, this butter-stealing story grew into a full-blown community festival celebrated across India. An earthen pot, filled with curd, milk, butter, and sometimes dry fruits, is hung several floors above the ground, and teams, called mandals, compete to reach it. The one who climbs to the top is the Govinda, representing Krishna himself. But there's a twist, people from surrounding balconies throw water and slippery liquids to make it harder, just as the women of Vrindavan once tried to protect their butter. Today, Dahi Handi is more than just a ritual, it's a mix of devotion, sport, and celebration. Crowds come together, music plays loudly, and teams from different places try to win the prize. When the pot finally breaks, milk and curd pour over the pyramid, and everyone cheers loudly. Moreover, states like Gujarat and Maharashtra celebrate this festival with great excitement. In Maharashtra, it is also called Gopalakala. Since 2022, Gopalakala has been officially recognised as a sport in the state. Then chief minister Eknath Shinde announced the launch of 'Pro Dahi Handi', where Govindas, the participants, will get job opportunities under the sports quota and an insurance cover too. "प्रो गोविंदा पर्व ३ रे" या कार्यक्रमाच्या दुसऱ्या फेरीला मी सहकुटुंब उपस्थित राहिलो.या फेरीत माझ्या "शूर मुंबईकर" संघाने खेळाचे उत्तम सादरीकरण केले. त्यांच्यातील समन्वय पाहण्यासारखा होता. एकमेकांना सहाय्य करत त्यांनी सुंदर पद्धतीने मानवी थर रचले. संघाचे प्रशिक्षक श्री.सुशांत… Dahi Handi 2025 Krishna Janmashtami 2025 will be celebrated on Saturday, August 16, marking the 5,252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. This year, Dahi Handi will be taking place on the same day. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
