Post date: Jul 21, 2013 9:34:49 AM
Locals in India's coastal state of Goa celebrate the mud bath festival, Chikhalkala, which is about getting close to Mother Earth and playing the games in open spaces full of slush in devotion to Hindu god, Lord Krishna.
MARCEL, GOA, INDIA (JULY 20, 2013) (ANI) - Locals in India's coastal state of Goa celebrated the mud bath festival, Chikhalkala, which is about getting close to Mother Earth and playing the games in open spaces full of slush in devotion to Hindu god, Lord Krishna.
According to the elders of Marcel city in the province which houses temples of more than 15 deities of the Hindu pantheon, the mud festival is part of a 400 year old tradition.Young men of the community play several games like tug of war, blind mans buff ending with the breaking of a earthen pot (dahi handi) fixed a few meters above the ground. A pyramid is formed and a young boy climbs to the top to break the clay pot filled with curd and cream.
Devotees said that participation in the mud festival gives them a chance to recall the games that young Hindu Lord Krishna used to play in childhood.
"This is a Krishna temple, as Krishna use to play this traditional game during his childhood among all his colleagues. These things particularly in raining season these types of games are being played. These games Lord Krishna was playing and just we are just now here are all players of lord Krishna. We are playing thosegames here," said Kushor Bhagat on Saturday (July 20), a local participating in the festivities.
Meanwhile several tourists also enjoyed the festivities.
Smruti Nayak, a tourist who was watching the mud festival, said that she was thrilled to witness the unique celebrations and had never seen such enthusiasm among young boys as well as men who enjoyed the shush.
"It's really amazing to see youth playing such festival because rarely we see don't see people participating in such festival. It was very crazy to see these people over here. It was very nice," said Nayak
Before the actual festivities start, the ritual of distributing sacred offering takes place. Locals and visitors bring sweets and fruits for the players. They stand on the platform below the main Peepal tree on the ground and start throwing the sweets in the direction of the players. The players jump to grab the prized pieces making it an exciting spectacle for the viewers.
Then the players, young and old begin throwing mud on each other and virtually push each other into the slush.