Janmashtami, the auspicious day to mark the birth
of Krishna, continues to be celebrated with great
gusto. If it's Raslila in Northern India, in
Maharashtra, one is witness to the exuberent enactment
of the Lord's childhood endeavour to steal butter
and curd from earthern pots beyond his reach. So
young men and children form an human pyramid and
try to reach out to the 'matka' or pot suspended
high above the ground. Around them people gyrate
to the loud music blasting the silence of the night
with over 5000 watts of music. Eventually they do
manage to break it (or their bones) amidst much
cheering.
The most popular Dahi Handi events in the city,
organized by Suvarna Yug Mitra Mandal and Hutatma
Babu Genu Mitra Mandal are held at the Belbaug
Chowk and opposite the Mandai market. Teams from
places as far off as Baramati come to compete for
the prize money which could go up to Rs 1 lakh.
Puneites watch the proceedings in suspended animation.
It sure gives them a high.
Storming
The Male Bastion!
The guys would have viewed the 'Tamasha' with amused
tolerance
and probably say the girls had gone potty. Nandalala
would have undoubtedly been most supportive and
would have loved to potter around the Gopis. On
'Janmashtami' the girls from SNDT College took a
shot at the pot, traditionally a male preserve.
As the 'Dahi' overflowed, so did their cup of joy.
After all, they succeeded in breaking not just the
'Hansdi' but traditional barriers as well.. Way
to go, gals!
in
Maharashtra, one is witness to the exuberent enactment
of the Lord's childhood endeavour to steal butter
and curd from earthern pots beyond his reach. So
young men and children form an human pyramid and
try to reach out to the 'matka' or pot suspended
high above the ground. Around them people gyrate
to the loud music blasting the silence of the night
with over 5000 watts of music. Eventually they do
manage to break it (or their bones) amidst much
cheering. 
and probably say the girls had gone potty. Nandalala
would have undoubtedly been most supportive and
would have loved to potter around the Gopis. On
'Janmashtami' the girls from SNDT College took a
shot at the pot, traditionally a male preserve.
As the 'Dahi' overflowed, so did their cup of joy.
After all, they succeeded in breaking not just the
'Hansdi' but traditional barriers as well.. Way
to go, gals! 
