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Dahi Handi will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 27. (Image: Shutterstock)
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai is likely to witness heavy rainfall in isolated pockets. Overall, Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai are expected to be cloudy and rainy for the next few days.
Mumbai’s Dahi Handi celebrations, a vibrant and iconic event held during Janmashtami, have been marred by unexpected rains in recent years. This lively festival, which celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, sees enthusiastic participants form human pyramids to break earthen pots filled with curd. As the city gears up for this year’s festivities, the question on everyone’s mind is – will it rain again? The weather could impact the celebrations and add an extra layer of excitement to the event.
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Dahi Handi is a traditional Indian festival in which participants form human pyramids to break an earthen pot (handi) filled with curd (dahi) and butter, suspended high above the ground.
The festival is inspired by the legend of Lord Krishna, who as a child would steal butter from his mother's hand. The festival is a reenactment of this mythological event.
Dahi Handi is celebrated with great enthusiasm, especially in Mumbai and Pune. Teams of youngsters, known as “govindas”, compete to break the handi into human pyramids. The successful team receives prizes and recognition.
This year, Dahi Handi will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 27. It is celebrated on the second day of Krishna Janmashtami, which commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna.
Theories behind Mumbai's rainfall patterns
Mumbai's rainfall is influenced by its proximity to the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. The city's unique geography creates an orographic effect, where moisture-laden winds from the sea are forced to rise, cool and condense, resulting in rainfall. The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a belt of low-pressure systems, also plays a major role in Mumbai's rainfall.
What the legend says
According to legend, when Lord Krishna was born, a heavy downpour fell, symbolising the purification of sins and the welcoming of the new avatar. Some people believe that the rain is a sign of Lord Krishna's blessing and a way to cool the earth and relieve the heat. During the Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai, rain is considered auspicious.
Will it rain in Dahi Handi this year?
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai is likely to witness heavy rainfall at isolated places.
On August 26, Mumbai is expected to see highs of 31°C and lows of 26°C, according to Accuweather. There will be occasional showers, with a 60% chance of precipitation. The sky will be cloudy with showers throughout the day.
On August 27, temperatures will be slightly warmer, with a high of 32°C and a low of 26°C. Rain will decrease, but there will still be cloudy skies with some showers. The chance of precipitation is 75%.
Overall, it will be a couple of cloudy and rainy days during the Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai.
