Seen Egyptian pyramids. Ever heard of human pyramids? Well, it is fun forming one and aiming at one pot full of butter or yogurt at times. Does this remind of you anything? By now it should have, if you are a person who loves to flirt.

Flirting dates back to history during the era of Krishna, the Lord. He was never punished for his flirty acts, but today one has to be careful while flirting. You never know when flirting be mistaken for eve teasing. Well, that’s not all about Lord Krishna; he also enjoyed eating butter hung on the ceilings of the home of the people. Now that is what Janmashtami is all about.

Janmashtami is to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. Janmashtami is celebrated every year on the 8th day of the dark fortnight that is also known as the Krishna Paksh, in the Hindu month of bhadon (around July-August). The period usually coincides with the rainy season. To make this festival more fun cities like Mumbai, Agra, Mathura and Vrindavan organize Hundi ceremony or competition. At home nothing unusual is done on Janmashtami. Sweets and rich food is cooked and a special pooja of Lord Krishna is performed. The real celebration comes on the next day of the festival.

The modern Govindas enthusiastically prepare for the Hundi and also earn some moolah. Prizes are given away to the group of youngster who climb the human pyramid and break the Hundi full of butter and yogurt. The celebration all starts with various groups of youngsters dancing with all the band baaja coming to the place where the Hundi is placed several feets above the ground. It is a big hungama, majority of the city dancing on the roads and cheering the groups participating in the Hundi competition. Holi is also played in this festival giving it a colourful touch. In a very flirty style, guys try to woo their girls by climbing the human pyramid and the girls shoo them away by their comical comments. Around 35-40 people are involved in a group aiming for the Hundi. Boys standing on each other’s shoulder and climbing higher and higher form the human pyramid. In order to avoid them from reaching their goal, buckets of colourful water are splashed on them. Innumerable attempts are made to get that drop of victorious butter. After all the hardwork and fun, the butter surely tastes differently and great! The pyramid keeps falling, but with keen determination boys finally break the Hundi or the pot. While the boys are busy climbing, bhajans of Krishna and film songs are sung to keep up the spirits of participants and the crowd. The accompanying slogans of "Govinda ala re ala” makes a passersby also to stop and join the fun. Whole of the city gets into a festive mood.

At some places, girls also participate in breaking the Hundis. The pot is obviously tied a bit lower than that of the guys. However, watching guys break the Hundi is more fun compared to that of girls.

The pots are hung on ropes spanning buildings at a height of up to five storeys.

A few broken bones are par for the course but fatalities are rare. Also, yogurt-eating competitions are conducted. This competition is mostly for the kids.

The tale of the birth of Lord Krishna is fondly remembered on the day of Janmashtami as temples and homes light up for the joyous occasion. Cribs and other displays with dolls in traditional costumes depict the life and times of Krishna. Raas Leelas (dance dramas) enact incidents from Krishna’s life amidst much pomp and show. People also fast till midnight and eat only after the time of Krishna’s birth. The various pandals decorated with flowers and lights are indeed sights to be watched.

To sum it up, it is a festival with loads of excitement, action and colours. In a very splendid way Lord Krishna is welcomed.