The Significance Of Dahi Handi

Thursday, September 2, 2010, 12:57

Dahi Handi, is the most celebrated aspect of Janmashtami/Krishna Jayanti. It is celebrated amidst revelry recalling the little Krishna scrambling upon his friends who form a human pyramid to reach the Dahi(Curd)Pot.

Dahi Handi Celebration

Dahi Handi is celebrated on the next day of Janmashtami, during Nanda Utsav. A pot with the mixture of curd, milk, dry fruits, ghee etc is hung by the means of a rope about 20-30 feet high. Contestants form a human pyramid to get their hands on the desired pot. It is definitely a challenging game to get hold of it as eager contestants make their way up to it, water is sprayed on them continuously by the onlookers to distract them. The silver coins that are tied to the pot are handed to the winner who gets hold of the pot.

In some places, a series of pots are placed one on top of the other, held together by means of a rope. The contents of the pots are different in each like curd, butter milk, butter etc and held together and suspended by the means of a rope. Human pyramids are either formed to reach the pot or the contestants are given a stick to hit the pots when they are brought down by the means of a pully. It is a difficult task indeed as it is pulled up immediately when the contestants try to hit it.

The Significance Of Dahi Handi

Dahi Handi is called 'Uriadi' in Tamil Nadu which forms a major event in the celebrations associated with Gokulashtami.

Dahi Handi though portrays the playful and adoringly mischievous attitude of Krishna, it also carries a profound philosophy behind it. The pot is the ego or the sense of the body mind identification that dangles in the grasp of Samsara. The butter or Dahi which forms the content is embodied as the essence, or the being. The Lord breaks the pot or the ego to release the content from the binding Samsara. His eagerness to savour it reveals the bliss that one enjoys on realising the true essence or the true self.

It can also be taken as the Lord's instruction to break the body mind complex which is portrayed as the pot to attain true bliss on realizing the essence, the true self, portrayed as the contents of the pot.

However to break the illusion of the body mind complex is not an easy task as one will have to focus steadfastly on realising the essence or the ultimate with devotion. Distractions from around disturb one from attaining the truth, however one pointed focus and devotion to the Lord will ultimately lead one to the goal.

Lets us hence celebrate Dahi Handi grasping the philosophy behind it and seek the Lord's blessings to realise our true self.