On the occasion of the Sri Krishna Janmasthami festival on September 6,the Sri Krishna Janmotsav Samiti has decided to observe Dahi Handi programme at Albert Ekka chowk in Ranchi.
“The day happens to be Sunday when two separate Handis will be put up.One Handi for women will be put up at 20 feet height.The other Handi for men will be 30 feet high”,said the Samiti’s incharge Sanjay Seth.
The winner will be provided with an award of Rs 71,000 and a seal.To participate in the tournament,a participant who has to deposit Rs 1,100,has to get enrolled by September 3.
“The award will be decided by the editorial boards of all newspapers”,said Seth.
As it is,Janmashtami,an annual commemoration of the birth of the Hindu deity Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu,is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September).
However, in both traditions,Janmashthami falls on the same day. So, we have works like Vishnudharmottara Purana saying Krishna Ashtami is in the Bhadrapada month and Skanda Purana stating that it falls in the month of Shravana”,says an expert.
While the Raslila re-creates the flirtatious aspects of Krishna’s youthful days, the Dahi Handi celebrates God’s playful and mischievous side, where teams of young men form human towers to reach a high hanging pot of butter and break it. This tradition, also known as uriadi, is a major event in Tamil Nadu on Gokulashtami.
Since 2013,Dahi Handi tournament was held at Albert Ekka Chowk in Ranchi. “We are going to celebrate it with much fun and frolic this year again”,said Seth.
