Dahi Handi or Utlotsavam is one of the festive events and a team sport during the Hindu festival Gokulashtami, which is also known as Krishna Janmashtami and celebrates the birth of Krishna. Dahi Handi is celebrated every August / September, the day after Krishna Janmashtami. It involves communities hanging an earthen pot filled with dahi (yogurt) or other milk-based delicacy, at a convenient or difficult to reach height.
Young men and boys form teams, make a human pyramid and attempt to reach or break the pot. As they do so, girls surround them, sing with music, and cheer them on. It is a public spectacle, and well organized historic tradition of Hindus, with media attendance, prize money and commercial sponsorship. The event is based on the legend of the Krishna stealing butter and other milk products as a baby (he is also called Makhan chor), the community hiding the products by hanging them high out of his reach, but he finding creative ways to reach what he wanted.
Mandal members huddle together for the last time before the event.
Members test their strength during a practice session.
The mandal looks skywards at their goal on Sunday.
The Tadwadi Mitra Mandal inches away from their goal.
With practice done, it’s now time for a hearty meal.
A Hindu devotee breaks a dahi-handi suspended in the air atop a human pyramid during celebrations for the Janmashtami festival, which marks the birth of Hindu God Lord Krishna, at Dadar in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
A student dressed up as Lord Krishna takes part in Janmashtami festival celebrations at a school, in Amritsar
A student from Kamla Mehta School for the Blind attempt to break Dahi Handi during Janmashtami festival celebrations in Mumbai
Children dressed up as Hindu Lord Krishna pose during Janmashtami festival celebrations inside a school in Agartala
Devotees celebrate Dahi handi festival on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami in Mumbai
Devotees form a human pyramid to break a clay pot containing curd during the Hindu festival of Janmashtami, marking the birth anniversary of Hindu Lord Krishna, in Mumbai
Hindu devotees form a human pyramid to break a Dahi Handi suspended in the air during celebrations for the Janmashtami festival in Mumbai
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