India is culturally rich country. Each Indian state have their unique blend of culture and tradition that may leave people surprised and mesmerized. The more you want to know and explore the more you will fall in love for their customs. Lately, I have been following Malayalam *(south India) culture and it leaving me amazed. Yesterday, they celebrated the Sri. Krishna Janmashtami in a unique way and getting a chance to witness them with my own eyes was a privilege.
I have been part of the local Ayappa temple #whatsapp group and the invitation message for yesterday celebration really taken me back. As many of the Indian state have celebrated the festival a month ago. But Kerela community celebrated the festival yesterday. Curious to know the reason I asked the temple priest. And the reason was something to do with the calendar. They celebrate Janmashtami (Krishna Jayanthi) on a different date from other parts of India because they follow the #Malayalam calendar, a luni-solar calendar and rest of the state follow lunar calendar. The luni-solar calendar, prioritizes the simultaneous presence of the eighth lunar day (Ashtami tithi) and the Rohini Nakshatra (the star associated with Lord Krishna's birth) at midnight.
On the auspicious occasion they have organized a 6 days of Bhagwat katha (explaining the stories and spiritual teachings of Lord Krishna and other deities) along with the little celebration for the community devotee. As I reached the temple in evening the preparation was already underway.
They have Mango leaves, designer earthen pot, and cow milk mix with turmeric. The temple was all set to organize Dahi handi. Here instead of dahi/curd, we have milk for the govindas. The celebration is quite different. The milk were filled into the earthen pots and made into a pyramid of 3 - one above the another.
The kids of the community were all set up for the celebration. They were dressed and decorated themselves as Radha - Krishna. Very colorful and beautiful and elegant.
The priest of the temple perform some rituals on the earthen pots. These pots were first worshippped, in presence of the kids who resemble like little Radha & Krishna (the childhood of the sri Krishna)
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The so called dahi-handi celebration is fun filled and entertaining game of breaking the pots suspended at the heights. Generally it was done by forming the human pyramids. But here the kids were supposed break them using their stick. The temple group, arranged a pulley and iron rod framework to suspend the pots in air. The pots were tied and pulled at the height.
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The rule of the game is quite simple. The hanging pots will made to swing through a rope and the little govindas were suppose to break them. The pots have toffees as a reward for the kids. And the game begins. It was entertaining seeing each kids wanted to break the pots. All three pots supposed to be broke and to spill out the milk. I took some random images as I was enjoying the fun filled act of the kids.
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There were swings and misses but the most importantly, the kids were enjoying so does their parent. I really admire the way the temple committee members managed everything. They were quick to replace the broken pots and get ready for the another round. In total they had 11 such pots pyramids that were broken by the kids. They were prompt in cleaning the place to avoid any mishappening.
There were laughter all around as the kids went on rampage for breaking the pots. They were also looting the toffees. Not to miss many were bathed in milk. All wet and drenched.
The game comes to an end in an hour, but those were remain engaged in the heart. This is similar way the festival were celebrated in other parts but the touch of the dressing and managing the vent was very commendable. It was a kids occasion and they enjoyed. Not leaving behind the photo shoots done by every one capturing the essence of the occasion.
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It was quite entertaining and I completely enjoyed the evening.
In good faith - Peace!!
