Handi facts for kids
A handi is a special cooking pot. It is usually made from copper or clay. This pot comes from the Indian subcontinent. People use handis a lot in Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi cooking.
The handi is a deep pot with a wide opening. Many different dishes are cooked in it across the Indian subcontinent. Because of this, many dishes are even named after the handi, like Chicken Handi or Handi Paneer.
Different regions in the Indian subcontinent have their own names for the handi. Some of these names include tasla, tasli, karahi, degchi and ahuna.
The handi is similar to cooking pots from other parts of the world. For example, it looks like American beanpots, Mexican and Spanish ollas, and French soupières. These pots are all used for similar types of cooking.
The handi is also a big part of the Dahi Handi festival. This festival happens every year to celebrate the birth of Krishna, a Hindu God.
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How is the Handi Used?
The handi is mainly used for cooking food. It is especially good for slow-cooking. When a dish is cooked in a handi, the lid is often sealed with dough. This stops steam from escaping. Sealing the pot helps keep the food's nutrients inside. It also lets the food cook in its own juices, which makes the flavors stronger and more delicious.
Dishes Cooked in a Handi
Many tasty dishes are made using a handi. Often, the word 'Handi' is even part of the dish's name! Here are some examples:
- Chicken Handi
- Handi Biryani
- Handi Khichdi
- Diwani Handi
- Handi Paneer
- Handi Komdi
- Handi Corn Sabzi
- Laziz Lamb Handi
- Khade Masala Ka Ghost
The Dahi Handi Festival
The Dahi Handi festival is a Hindu celebration. It marks the birth of Krishna, a Hindu god. This festival is also known as Krishna Janmashtami. It usually takes place every year around August or September. The exact dates change a little each year.
People believe Krishna is the eighth form of Lord Vishnu. He was born to save the city of Mathura from a cruel king named Kamsa. Krishna was raised by his foster parents, Nanda and Yashoda. They lived in the village of Gokul, Vrindavan. This was to keep him safe from King Kamsa.
The Story Behind Dahi Handi
There is a famous story about Lord Krishna. When Krishna was a child, he lived in a village called Vrindavan in northern India. He loved dairy products, especially white butter (Makhan). He loved it so much that he would often sneak into his neighbors' homes to take butter and other dairy treats. Because of this, Krishna became known as Makhan Chor, which means "butter thief."
His foster mother, Yashoda, was sometimes frustrated by his stealing. She told the women in the village to hang their dairy products, especially butter, in a handi high up. This way, Krishna could not reach them. But Krishna was very clever! He would gather his friends and other children. They would form a human pyramid to reach the handis hanging from the ceilings. Then they would break the pots to get the curd and butter. This is why, during the festival today, people hang handis filled with yogurt or other dairy items.
Another story says that King Kamsa would take away dairy products from children. Even though there was plenty of food, he would not let them have enough. So, Krishna and his friends would steal and share the dairy products among themselves.
Playing Dahi Handi
A big part of the festival is a sport also called Dahi Handi. In this game, a handi filled with Dahi (yogurt) is hung very high up, often about 30 feet in the air.
Young boys and men form teams. They create a tall human pyramid to try and reach the pot and break it open. Girls on the ground stand around the pyramid, singing songs and dancing. This game can get very competitive between teams. The winning team usually gets a prize for breaking the pot. Teams that play this sport are very dedicated. Especially in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, they practice for weeks before the festival. It takes a lot of focus, teamwork, and excitement!
A human pyramid can have as many as nine layers. The people at the bottom layers are usually stronger. They need to hold a lot of weight on their shoulders. As the pyramid goes up, the boys get lighter. The boy at the very top is the lightest and smallest. He has the most energy to break the handi. The people who form the pyramid are called ‘Govinda Pathak’ or ‘Govinda.’ Many teams take part in this festival every year. The winning team often gets money, sweets, or other prizes. The Dahi Handi pot itself usually contains yogurt, ghee, sometimes milk, and nuts like almonds.
Not every team succeeds in breaking the pot. Sometimes, people fall from the pyramid. This can be painful and even dangerous, sometimes causing serious injuries.
Many people from the community gather to watch the event. Some even throw water balloons and buckets of water on the teams. This adds to the fun and excitement of the festival. The teams feel a lot of energy and excitement, which helps them try their best to break the Dahi Handi.
Before and after the handi is broken, people perform folk dances. One dance is called ‘Jhaanki,’ which is a special dance to honor Lord Krishna. Another dance is ‘Lavani,’ which is popular in Maharashtra, India. These dances keep the audience entertained and add variety to the event. Lavani is often performed to the sound of the Dholki, an Indian drum.
Safety Concerns
Over the years, some issues have come up with this festival. Sometimes, there is a lot of trash left by the public. The festival can also cause traffic jams. Another issue is loud noise pollution from the large crowds.
The biggest concern is the risk of injuries to the participants. Since the year 2000, the festival has become much more competitive. This has led to more injuries compared to earlier years. To make the festival safer, people have suggested lowering the height of the handi. They have also suggested that participants should wear protective gear. In 2014, the government of Maharashtra made a rule that children under the age of 12 cannot take part in the Dahi Handi festival.
See also
In Spanish: Handi para niños
