From the archive record
Marathi people celebrating the birthday of the Lord Krishna with great revelry by creating the human pyramid to break the dahi handi (the pot full of curd). Dahi Handi' is an Indian festival that comprises making a human pyramid and breaking an earthen pot filled with milk, curd, butter, fruits and water and known as a 'handi' or 'matki', which is hung at a convenient height. It is organized on Krishna Janmashtami every year to celebrate the birth of the Lord Shri Krishna all over the state of Maharashtra, India. The term Govinda is used to refer to the people who participate in forming this human pyramid. The participants form a pyramid consisting of as many as 9-tiers, and are given three attempts to break the earthen pot. Every year thousands of people gather at Mumbai and Thane's big '