The ‘Dahi Handi’ is being celebrated across
Goa in schools, colleges and village and city squares. Though the festival has
religious symbolism as it is followed by Janamashtami, ‘Dahi Handi’ is now
observed more like an adventurous activity. For school-going children, there
are fancy dress competitions on Krishna and Radha organised prior to the
breaking of the pot, while in colleges, boys have a gala time after their
lectures by getting together for the ‘Dahi Handi’ celebrations. While the
college celebrations are bent towards having fun and building team spirit,
there’s quite a bit of money to be won at the Dahi Handi competitions happening
in major cities like Panjim, Margao, Ponda, Vasco and Mapusa.
The Goa Engineering College has been
organising this festival as a tradition. Darshan Naik Mule, TE Civil
engineering student, says, “Many students become a part of this activity. The
event is held later in the day so that it does not affect our classes. The
whole act of forming the human pyramid to break the pot which is tied on top is
so much fun. We even end up getting soaked in the muddy water like
‘Chikalkalo’; that just adds to the fun. Music is also played alongside the
event so students can dance and have a gala time. The event is restricted to
only college students though we do get a few outsiders as spectators.”
Another GEC student, Heramb Naik, further
explains, “‘Dahi Handi’ at our college is happening on September 7. It is the
first official function of the academic year. Students from National Institute
of Technology and GEC form their groups and participate in the competition,
which is held on the GEC ground. There’s prize money for the winners.”
As per the Hindu calender, ‘Dahi Handi’
will be celebrated on September 6 post Janamashtami, which is on September 5.
”Temples and All Goa Dahi Handi competitions in city markets are held on the
actual day of the festival, while schools and colleges host it on the day most
convenient for them,” says Pradnya, a lecturer from Vasco.
Nusha Anand Bandodkar, an ex-student from
Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Miramar, where Dahi Handi is an annual
activity, says, “‘Dahi Handi’ is celebrated in different ways. A number of
events are organised so that we can pass on these traditions to the next
generation. Annually, different competitions like Rangoli, breaking pot,
mehendi, nail art are held. These events are unifying as they bring students
from all the streams together.” Dhempe College is having their ‘Dahi Handi’
celebrations today.
Adjacent to Dhempe college, V M Salgaoncar
College of Law, also celebrates ‘Dahi Handi’ at their college premises. Arya
Parrikar, Second year Law student, informs, “Generally, girls are not seen
taking part in the ‘Dahi Handi’ event. However, last year, our the Student
Council had a organised a photography competition so that everyone could be a
part of the celebrations. Events have not been finalised for this year’s
celebrations.”
MES College of Arts and Commerce,
Zuarinagar, had held the festival for a few years before discontinuing it.
Ex-student of the college, Prasheela Mapusekar, remembers, “Our 2003 batch had
started it and it was a lot of fun. We used to collect coins from the sudents
for the ‘handi’ and after the function, the prize was distributed. Our
arrangements were all done at the last minute as that’s when we got permission
to do so; but everything was a success. I hope the college restarts the
celebrations.”
