The popular sportive cultural event organised across India on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami is Dahi Handi. The term 'Dahi' refers to curd and handi, an earthen pot consisting of milk-related by-products. The celebration portrays the lifestyle of Lord Krishna at a young age. Dahi handi is also called Gopal Kala or Utlotsavam, which is one of the biggest festivals in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

 

At a growing age, Krishna became fond of Dahi and Makhan, for whom he performed notorious activities by stealing them from his neighbours. This is the reason why every year the Dahi Handi is organised and young boys act as Krishna to break the Matka across India.

In the state of Maharashtra, Dahi Handi is a popular competitive sport where hundreds of teams participate and contest to win. Celebrities are invited to promote the event with the slogan ‘Govinda Aala Re!’.

On the very next day of Krishna Janmasthami falls the Dahi Handi festival. The term handi is an earthen pot where dairy products like butter, milk, curd etc are stored. This festival is popularly celebrated in Maharashtra.

Individuals also follow a certain ritualistic puja at midnight which involves sixteen steps that are part of the puja vidhi. It is one of the most important festivals for the people of India. The day has a lot of significance in holy places like Mathura and Vrindavan, where Krishna spent his childhood days.