During Dahi Handi, several people get together to form a human pyramid and collect curd from a suspended handi.
Every year, Indians celebrate Krishna Janmashtami, a Hindu festival that marks Lord Krishna’s birth. On the special day, the devotees participate in spiritual fasting, cultural festivities, offer prayers to Lord Krishna, decorate temples and even perform joyous activities. As part of the Janmashtami celebrations, Dahi Handi is one of the highlights and it gives a tribute to Lord Krishna. But what exactly is a Dahi Handi Tradition on Janmashtami?
Well, on the occasion of the festival commemorating the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most loved traditions is the Dahi Handi, which takes place on the second day of the festival. Also called Utlotsav, it involves formation of human pyramids to reach and break a clay pot that is filled with curd or buttermilk. Since Lord Krishna is known to love dairy products, the Dahi Handi tradition highlights the playful nature of Lord Krishna apart from promoting the themes of unity, teamwork, and human devotion towards Lord Krishna.
However, forming a human pyramid is not everyone’s cup of tea, and it might look easy, but it is not. While the Dahi Handi tradition is enjoyed by devotees, it is important to safeguard the participants to prevent accidents and injuries. Check out the essential safety rules to follow:
It is important that no matter what, only experienced and trained individuals participate in forming the human pyramid during the Dahi Handi celebrations due to the high risk involved. Also, it is vital to practice before the event in order to build coordination and skill.
All the participants should be in good physical state with medical conditions or injuries. They should also perform warm-up exercises to prepare the body.
Always keep helmets, knee pads, and elbow guards handy in case of a fall. Also comfortable and non-restrictive clothing should be worn to avoid accidents.
It is imperative that the base of the human pyramid is stable and strong, and supportive structures or safety nets should be used around the pyramid area to catch anyone who might fall. Have a clear plan for emergency situations and medical assistance in place.
Making sure that there is clear communication among all participants is present from the first instance. Each one of them should know their role and the signals for starting, stopping, etc. They should work in a team to maintain balance and stability.
Last but not the least, a human pyramid formation should be avoided in adverse weather conditions, such as rain or winds, since it can increase risk of accidents.
By adhering to these rules, the joyous moment of human pyramid formation during Dahi Handi can be enjoyed without any worry.
