With Janmashtami on Aug 31st,the festival spirit has started for good.

In Pune,the birth of Krishna is celebrated with something called dahi-handi,literally meaning clay pots of curd.As the night progresses,stalls are erected by ‘friend circles’ and after street dances for some time by many sober and a few not so sober youth(mainly guys),a humar pyramid is formed to reach the clay pot tied above.Its broken with a coconut and the contents(usually money) are shared.

The music ranges from bollywood disco numbers to bhangra to hip hop to even telugu songs…

At my house on this day,my mom would trace out small steps with a chalk from the entrance of the house to the prayer house symbolizing that Lord Krishna has entered the house and would be keen to bless all his devotees.