The first cry of “Govinda aala re aala” is enough to bring a vaddo alive. As music and cheers fill the air, the group of youngsters gathers beneath a Dahi Handi suspended high above them. One by one, they climb onto each other, forming a human pyramid, with the youngest making the final ascent to break the earthen pot filled with curd, milk or buttermilk. Celebrated on the eighth day of the dark fortnight, Janmashtami (September 4, 2026) marks the birth of Lord Krishna and is observed with prayers and a midnight puja, as Krishna is believed to have been born at midnight. The following day (September 5, 2026), the celebrations take a more playful turn with Dahi Handi, which recalls Krishna’s childhood of stealing butter and curd.
Goan celebrations
While Goa’s Dahi Handi celebrations may be smaller in scale than those across the border in Maharashtra, the excitement is no less. Singing and dancing, the pyramid slowly takes shape as the crowd watches with bated breath. The final few climbers make their way up the three- or four-storey human structure before the Bal Govinda reaches the top. Sometimes the entire pyramid comes crashing down, only for the youngsters to get back up and try again. And when the pot is finally broken, curd, milk and buttermilk rains down on those standing below, bringing cheers from the crowd.
Vaddo traditions
Arjun Pujari from St Inez, who has been seeing the Gokulashtami celebrations in their vaddo for several years, shares his thoughts. “Although Dahi Handi in Goa is not celebrated on a grand scale, people often look forward to the celebrations,” he says, adding that all the children from the vaddo come together to form the pyramid and break the Dahi Handi. “There is no special practice; we all just come together and try to break the Handi,” he remarks. Pujari explains that breaking the Dahi Handi is symbolic of the leela, or mischievous pranks of Lord Krishna, who is said to have often broken pots filled with buttermilk and curd and eaten their contents. This connection with Krishna’s childhood makes the celebrations particularly exciting for the children. “We even have a fancy dress competition which children take part in dressed up as Radha or Krishna,” he says.
Seven day Saptah
While Pujari speaks of the celebrations in his vaddo, Sachin Chari from Nageshi points to another aspect of Gokulashtami celebrations in his village. “There is a seven-day Saptah celebration at the Nageshi temple, and I never miss going there,” he says, pointing out that the 7-day Saptah doesn’t happen anywhere else. The celebrations begin early in the morning, at around 7 am, when the idol comes out of Nageshi Temple. “The ‘ghudyo’ from the 7 Vadde are taken out in the morning, after which they take a round of Ravalnath Temple, followed by a visit to Betal Dev and then Mahalaxmi Temple,” he remarks. They also visit several other temples where bhajans and aarti are often recited and performed. They then return to Nageshi Temple, where everyone dances with great enthusiasm. “And finally, this is followed by the Dahi Handi ceremony,” Chari explains.
Building the pyramid
With the excitement building around the ceremony, the pyramid itself remains one of the biggest attractions. But while it may look simple from the outside, getting the formation right requires coordination between everyone involved. Rupesh Naik from Margao explains their strategy. “There isn’t anything special that we do. The stronger ones are standing on the ground, and the younger and lighter individual climbs on top to break the handi,” he explains. For the person making the final climb, however, it is not just about being light enough to reach the top. “It is probably trust that the person climbing has that no matter what happens, those standing below won’t let him or her fall or get hurt,” he mentions.
Safety in numbers
Yet, despite the coordination, the pyramid does not always stay upright. Sometimes, it comes crashing down, making those standing around an important part of the celebration as well. Pujari explains that some participants remain below to help. “We usually stand below, in case anyone falls and needs help,” he states.
Spirit of Gokulashtami
For many in Goa, Dahi Handi is therefore more than a spectacle of strength and balance. The celebrations may vary from one vaddo or village to another, with some combining the ceremony with temple festivities, bhajans and fancy dress competitions. Whether the pot holds curd, milk, chocolates or sweets, and whether the pyramid reaches great heights or falls along the way, the excitement of trying again remains. The cheers from the crowd, the music playing in the background and the sight of youngsters encouraging one another make the celebration a sight to behold. After all, when the cheers fade and the last drops of curd fall, what remains is the joy of coming together for a simple tradition that keeps the spirit of Gokulashtami and Dahi Handi alive.
