This was my first
Janmashtami in Mumbai and needless to mention I was very excited to witness the famed
Dahi Handi celebrations in the city. Janmashtami
in 2017 also coincided with India's Independence Day (15th August) so the day was even more special. The celebrations started early in the morning with the flag hoisting ceremony across the city and the country, and a few hours later Dahi Handi (literally translates to Curd Pot) festivities started across the city as well.
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| Dahi Handi celebration in a local community in Worli, Mumbai |
What is Janmashtami?
Janmashtami is the birthday of Lord Krishna and it is believed that we was very fond of milk, curd and white butter, and would go to any lengths to get it - beg, borrow or steal. To save the
dahi (curd) from the little Krishna, the Gopis used to tie it up at a height that they were convinced he would never reach. Krishna was smart and he would gather all his friends, make a human pyramid and get the curd - which they would then eat it all up. The tradition continues to be celebrated, especially in Maharashtra (though not as much in his birth place
Mathura).
Dahi Handi in Worli, Mumbai
More details will follow, but for now enjoy the photo-story from one of the Dahi Handi celebrations I witnessed this year at the
Navuvak Sarboday Mandai in Worli. I was a complete stranger when I walked into the society simply hoping to catch a picture or two, but by the time I left it was a lot of waving and promises to visit again.
It also rained so hard and so unexpectedly that I also got completely drenched, but have no regrets at all. I am not particularly pleased with the pictures, but
'woh to ek bahana tha' to meet new people and get close to the vibe of Mumbai.
All the adults were certainly having fun, but it was the kids who stole the show with the rain dance. Actually once the
handi was broken and the pyramid dismantled, it started to rain cats and dogs. I was planning to walk around a bit more, but it was literally impossible to walk even for a minute...so I stayed back and waited, and enjoyed the rains, while the kids danced away to glory (last picture in the series).
Enjoy :)
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| A young boy with the Indian flag |
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| Human pyramid in the making |
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| Ready to break the matki (pot) |
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| Done successfully! |
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| Indian flag on the terrace |
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| Celebrations on the rooftop! |
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| New friends |
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| It's the kids who have the most fun, especially when it also rains :) |
There are so many great Indian celebrations! They are all so happy and full of smiles, I am glad to learn more about it.
ReplyDeleteSuperb one!
DeleteEven though there was rain, it was embrace during the celebrations. The smile shining through the photos and would of been a great celebration to watch.
ReplyDeleteAnother Indian celebration to watch and experience. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteJanmashtami sounds like a really cool tradition – sorry to hear that it rained (hate that!) but I actually think your pictures turned out pretty nice – and as you said, can never be disappointed with an opportunity to meet new people and get close to the vibe of Mumbai right! That human pyramid looks like it would be even more tricky in the rain though!
ReplyDeleteThis is an Indian celebration I never even heard off and looks fantastic. Human pyramid in the rain - the locals are legends!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures especially the first one of celebration at Worli, Mumbai. I always want to see this festival, making of Pyramid, and breaking of Matki live someday in Mumbai. Rain for sure would have added colors to the celebrations.
ReplyDeleteDahi Handi is indeed a great Mumbai experience. However sad to say that inspite of having stayed for long periods in Mumbai, have missed out being a part of this spectacle. Only watched this in Bollywood movies. Hope to be a part of this next year.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a beautiful tradition where people unite to celebrate and form the pyramid. I love how you enjoyed the rain after the pyramid collapses. And your photos are so beautiful!
ReplyDeletenice post and picture
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are stunning! It sounds like an amazing experience to watch the human pyramid be erected.
ReplyDeleteEvery festival is important but when we talked about janmashtami this festival i really liked it
ReplyDeletethanks for this.
It sounds like a beautiful tradition where people unite to celebrate and form the pyramid. I love how you enjoyed the rain after the pyramid collapses. And your photos are so beautiful!
DeleteThis festival is too much fun for Indians. Lovely photographs. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteEvery festival is important but when we talked about janmashtami this festival i really liked it
ReplyDeletethanks for this.