Janmashtami: Nirbhaya Mahila Govinda Pathak group performs self-defense dance

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 7 (ANI): Dressed up as “Maa Kaali”, students of Nirbhaya Mahila Govinda Pathak in Mumbai performed self-defense dance on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami on the streets of Mumbai on Thursday.

A video shared by the organisers showed the group preparing for Dahi Handi celebrations dressed as Goddess Kali to spread awareness against harassment of women.

In a unique way, the group that is formed by the students of SNDT Women’s University combined the cultural festivities with a powerful message.

The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated by offering prayers to Lord Krishna, with beautifully decorated swings, dance and music performances, and the ‘Dahi-Handi’ competition.

One of the major cultural activities, Dahi Handi is celebrated by filling an earthen pot with curd, butter and other milk products. Subsequently, a group of people form a human pyramid to reach the matka and break it with a stick.

The tradition symbolizes Lord Krishna’s playfulness and innocence, and his love for butter and curd. Dahi Handi celebrations commemorate Lord Krishna’s act of eating Dahi hung at a height when he was a child.

As per the Hindu calendar, Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, was born on the eighth day of the month of Bhadra. The day mostly falls in the months of August or September as per the Western calendar.

Janmashtami is being celebrated across the country with full fervour.

Several lord Krishna temples are decked up to celebrate the occasion with religious fervour, pomp and fanfare.