Dahi Handi

I was 5 years old. We had a holiday that day for Dahi Handi. I was simply happy because I did not have to go to the school. It was a holiday for my elder sister as well. My friends to did not have school that day because of Dahi Handi. I had no idea what was going to happen that day but I was delighted because all my friends had holiday and together we were going to spend time.

My friend Rinky was 2 years elder to me. At 8 o'clock in the morning she came to my house. She asked my mother if she would allow me to go up to the terrace to watch the celebration. Rinky informed that her mother too was going to the terrace so we would be under and adult's supervision. Hearing that my mother allowed me and my sister to go along with Rinky.

I did not know what celebration was going to be but I was just glad that I was going to get time to spend with my friends. We went to the terrace and we were looking around. I saw that a rope was tied and an earthen pot was bound to it. Rinky's mom told me that it was the Dahi Handi. She told me that the kids are going to build a human pyramid and they will break the Handi. That did sound dangerous to me but Rinky's mother told me that safety will be ensured and if anybody falls people would catch them.

I was still little scared but Rinky told me that it would be fun to watch how this progresses. We saw that children had started gathering. Children had held each other by shoulders and they had formed a circle. Then I saw that children who were younger than them had been climbing on their shoulder and forming another circle. I saw layers of human pyramid being formed. I was again scared that what if someone falls down. But then I saw people surrounding them and I thought that these people would catch them if they fall.

Then I saw the third layer of the human pyramid being built. While making that layer one of the boys fell down. People surrounding them promtly caught him. But looking at the fallen child other children across the layers decided to jump backwards too. I was surprised why would they do that and risk their lives. But then I saw that while falling they were all smiling and laughing. They were having fun. Rinky's mom told me that this is the fun in watching the building up of the human pyramid. How everyone keeps up with the teamwork is something to be watched for. They did not realise that they work in a team but they still did and they enjoyed it too. Falling while making the human pyramid is the actual fun in the activity.

Rinky's mother was explaining the teamwork so well to us that I was impressed. She said, "all our traditions teach us values. They are disguised as fun activities but they teach us valuable lessons to become better human beings. Ypu must always learn from our traditions, culture, and festivals".

This was my first exposure to understanding how great our culture and traditions are. I am looking at building up of human pyramids today and it is making me realise how great my culture is. I am flad to be a part of it. Jay Kanhaiya Lal Ki.