Youngsters in the city are busy preparing for the 'matki phod' (breaking of the pot) event in their respective areas on Janmashtami. Many have already put in several weeks of practice for this group event which involves youths forming a human pyramid by climbing and balancing on the shoulders of their colleagues to reach a pot hung from above. People cheer the participants when they are successful in breaking the hanging pot.
The 'matki phod' event celebrates the legend that Lord Krishna, during his childhood, used to form similar human pyramids to break the pot of butter that was hung far above to keep it out of his reach.
In Gyanda society of Vejalpur, the youngsters have been practicing for 'matki phod' for the last two months. Rambhai Mehta, a resident of the society, told DNA that 10-12 boys of the society and nearby areas have been practicing for the event for the last two months.
'The human pyramid that they will form on Janmashtami requires a lot of practice and coordination. The event is an important feature in our society's calendar as everybody enjoys it," Mehta said. Gyanda society has been organizing 'matki phod' and Janmashtami celebrations for the last 30 years, he added.
Rohit Modi, resident of a society near Nehrunagar, talked about how his family members and relatives formed a human pyramid and entertained others.
"A group of 30 people comprising my family members, relatives and friends, together form the human pyramid for the matki phod event. The youngest in our family, Arnav, finally climbs to the top and breaks the hanging pot," said Modi.
He further said that every year they fill the hanging pot with chocolate and sweets wrapped in colorful paper. "When the pot is broken, the chocolate and sweets fall out, sending the kids into a frenzy of delight," Modi said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}