Janmashtami

Janmashtami is the joyful celebration of Lord Krishna's birth. Major celebrations of Krishna Janmashtami takes place at midnight as Krishna is said to have made his divine appearance in that hour. Fasting, bhajans, pujas and many other rituals mark Janmashtami celebrations in India.

Janmashtami

In Mumbai, Dahi Handi is celebrated with enthusiasm. The handi is a clay pot filled with buttermilk that was positioned at a convenient height the topmost person on the human pyramid tries to break the handi by hitting it with a blunt object, and when that happens, Various Handis are set up locally in several parts of the city, and groups of youngsters, called Govinda, travel around in trucks trying to break as many handis as possible during the day.

Janmashtami

Many such Govinda Pathaks compete with each other, especially for the handis that dole out hefty rewards. The event, in recent times, has gathered a political flavor, and it is common for political parties, and rich community groups to offer prizes amounting to lakhs of rupees.