Dahi Handi
The day after Janmashtami, Govinda teams build human pyramids to break a pot of curd hung high above the street, to the beat of the dhol.
Quick facts
- When:
- The day after Janmashtami, August or September
- Janmashtami 2027:
- Wednesday 25 August 2027
- Dahi Handi 2027:
- Thursday 26 August 2027
- Also called:
- Gopalkala
- Known for:
- Govinda teams, human pyramids, dhol and music
Dahi Handi, also called Gopalkala, is celebrated the day after Krishna Janmashtami, in August or September. It recalls the childhood of Lord Krishna, who loved butter and curd and climbed on the shoulders of his friends to reach the pots that the women of Gokul hung out of his reach.
Janmashtami night
On Janmashtami, temples and homes celebrate the birth of Krishna at midnight with bhajans, a cradle for baby Krishna and prasad. Many families keep a fast that day and break it after the midnight puja.
Breaking the handi
The next day, an earthen pot filled with curd, butter and sweets is tied high above a street or chowk. Teams of young men and women, called Govinda pathaks, climb on each other's shoulders to build a human pyramid of several layers, and the youngest climber at the top breaks the pot. Crowds cheer, music plays, and water is sprayed on the climbers. Many mandals give prize money to the team that breaks their handi.
Dahi Handi in Pune
In Pune, handis are tied in the old peths, at busy chowks and in many housing societies. Big mandals invite Govinda teams from Pune and Mumbai, and the evening often ends with dhol tasha and songs. Smaller handis in societies and schools let children enjoy the fun safely, with low pots and a little help from the elders.
A sport with safety rules
The Maharashtra government treats the human pyramids as an adventure sport. Govindas get government insurance cover, and helmets, chest guards and safety belts are advised for those who climb high. Organisers are asked to keep first aid and an ambulance ready. If you watch, keep a safe distance from the pyramid and follow the police and volunteers.
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More in Festivals of Pune
-
Shiv Jayanti
The birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, celebrated on 19 February with processions and programmes.
- Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti The birth anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on 14 April, marked in Pune with tributes at his statues, processions, music and lectures through the day and night.
-
Navratri and Dasara
Nine nights of the goddess, with the Chaturshrungi fair, garba and dandiya, ending in Dasara: apta leaves as gold, Ravan dahan and new beginnings.
-
Diwali
The festival of lights: lamps, kandils, rangoli, faral and shopping crowds on Laxmi Road.
-
Palkhi (Ashadhi Wari)
Every year the palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram pass through Pune with lakhs of Varkaris walking to Pandharpur.
-
Gudi Padwa
The Marathi New Year: a gudi at every door, neem and jaggery, shrikhand puri, and shobha yatras with dhol tasha across Pune.
Questions and answers
When is Dahi Handi in 2027?
Dahi Handi is on Thursday 26 August 2027, the day after Janmashtami on Wednesday 25 August 2027.
Who are Govindas?
Govindas are the members of the teams, called pathaks, who build the human pyramid and break the pot of curd.
Is Dahi Handi a sport?
Yes. The Maharashtra government treats the human pyramids as an adventure sport, with insurance cover and safety rules for the Govindas.
Sources: Written by PuneDiary. 2027 dates checked against Drik Panchang, and the safety and insurance rules against news reports of 2025 and 2026, on 15 October 2026.