The Dahi Handi Festival and Birth Story of Lord Krishna

The Dahi Handi Festival and Birth Story of Lord Krishna

Lord Krishna, is the eighth avatar of Shree Vishnu or Narayan, one of three Trideva (Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Mahesh the destroyer). In the Hindu religion, Lord Krishna is also known as Yogeshwar Bhagwan. The famous epic Mahabharata tells the story of Lord Krishna. He did great things to inspire people and motivate them to lead a life with ideals and principles.

Before Teaching the life lessons to Arjun in the middle of the Kurukshetra war, he performed many Leelas in his childhood. Lord Krishna was a very naughty and mischievous kid in his early days. Friends of Kanhaiya or Lord Krishna together enjoyed breaking the Matki or Handi, filled with Makhan or Butter. The God who gave Bhagavad Gita’s preachings to the world was once a kid that loves dairy products. Let us know more about the birth of Lord Krishna and the Dahi Handi Festival.


The Birth Story of Lord Krishna and Janmashtami Dahi Handi

The father of Lord Krishna is Vasudeva, and his mother is Devaki. She was the sister of Kansa, the cruel King of Mathura. At the time of Vasudev and Devaki’s marriage, suddenly, a divine prophecy was echoed in the sky. The prophecy said that the eighth child of Devaki will be the slayer of Kansa and will free the people of Mathura from his terror. On hearing the same, Kansa imprisoned Vasudev and Devaki in Mathura.

Lord Krishna took birth as the eighth child of Devaki after Kansa killed his six brothers in front of his parents. The seventh child of Devaki, Balarama or Bal Bhadra, was placed in the womb of Rohini, another wife of Vasudev by Maha Maya Devi through the divine powers. In the middle of the night, Vasudev secretly went to Gokul and surrendered baby boy Krishna to Nand Rai and Yashoda, the foster parents of Lord Krishna.

People celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna as the Krishna Janmashtami festival. The following day of Janmashtami, everyone enjoys the Dahi Handi Festival. Whereas in some places, devotees celebrate both Janmashtami and Dahi Handi Festival on the same day.

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Krishna Janmashtami Dahi Handi

The Janmashtami Dahi Handi Celebration takes place in most parts of the country. In the Hindu religion, people also call it Gokulashtami Dahi Handi or Krishna Dahi Handi. They celebrate Krishna Janmashtami on the eight-day of Krishna Paksha. According to the English Calendar, people observe this festival in the months of August or September. In Maharashtra, people celebrate Dahi Handi Festival with a lot of enthusiasm. Several competitions of Dahi Handi are organised throughout the state capital of Mumbai.

Lord Krishna, in his childhood, along with his friends, enjoyed stealing Dahi and Makhan from the houses of Gopis. To stop the mischiefs of Krishna and his gang, Gopi hanged the Handi at a considerable height. Therefore, Krishna and the company made a human pyramid to reach the Matkis filled with Dahi and Makhan. Krishna climbed on and broke the Dahi Handi or Makhan Handi in the house of Gokul and Vrindavan. People celebrate the Dahi Handi festival to celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna in the same manner.


Janmashtami Dahi Handi 2023 Muhurat Timings

  • Dahi Handi: Thursday, September 7, 2023
  • Krishna Janmashtami: Wednesday, September 6, 2023
  • ISKCON Janmashtami: Thursday, September 7, 2023
  • Ashtami Tithi Begins: On Sep 06, 2023 at 15:37
  • Ashtami Tithi Ends: On Sep 07, 2023 at 16:14

What’s Inside Janmashtami Dahi Handi?

In India, the elements of Dahi Handi vary from place to place. People use all the items that Lord Krishna loves. Dairy products such as Dahi, Butter, Milk and Ghee are put inside the Dahi Handi. At many locations, honey, sugar and jaggery are also used and mixed with Dahi and Poha. In modern times, the Dahi Handi items are changed, and chocolates, fruits and cream are also used to fill it.

On this day, people decorate The Dahi Handi or Dahi Matki from the outside. Colours and Flowers are used along with other crafts to beautify the Handi. The team of Govindas compete to win the prize by reaching the Dahi Handi first. The award or prize is often hung with the Matki to encourage the Govinda groups for healthy competition. The Dahi Handi event’s organizers attach a Potli or a bag of silver coins or any other valuable item to the Matki.

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Astrological Significance of Dahi Handi Festival

Lord Krishna’s birthday holds a prominent place in the list of Hindu Festivals. The tradition of the Dahi Handi festival is the way of worshipping Lord Krishna. Devotees also sing Krishna Bhajans during the festive movements and imitate the Leelas of Shree Krishna Bhagwan.

Lord Krishna is the Purna avatar or incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and worshipping him by doing Vishnu Puja on the Dahi Handi festival brings good fortune in life. On this day, people recite mantras and hymns to please Lord Krishna for a happy life. Devotees perform Raas Leela and read the Holy Books and mantras to get rid of the negativity of life.

The Dahi Handi Festival and Krishna Janmashtami are the important festivals of the Hindu religion. There are many rituals and traditions associated with Dahi Handi. The love and affection of devotees towards Lord Krishna is seen during the celebrations. Raas Leela and Govinda breaking Handi is nothing less than worshipping Lord Krishna. It is also a way of having the god’s prasad and blessings together without any caste, creed, race, or community discrimination.

May this Dahi Handi Festival bring joy and happiness to the lives of every devotee. Jai Shri Krishna.



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