Festivals are a part of India’s identity; the vibrant outfits, the traditional sweets and the customs are the most exciting part of our culture, which is still intact in the villages in its authentic form and not modernized as in the cities.
Vasant Pathshala celebrated Janmashtami at their rural campus situated in Dholka. The festival was celebrated before Janmashtami so the students can also celebrate it with their family on the day of Janmashtami.
The Vasant school is an initiative by Samvedana Trust to cater to the rural low-income group and bridge the gap between rural and urban groups in education. “The people in villages breathe, sleep and drink festivals; to reach them we have to adapt,” says Janki Vasant, Founder, Samvedena Trust.
It was the first time that the school celebrated the festival in person and not virtually. The children were all dressed in traditional attire. The festival which celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna is an important festival in Hindu culture.
The boys were dressed as Krishna in some or other rendition of dhoti (pants), mukut (crown), morpinch (peacock’s feather) and a vasani (flute) while the girls were dressed as Gopis in traditional ghaghra cholis with traditional jewellery. The entire campus was decorated and students learnt about the festival.
Students from different religions joined in the celebration of the birth of Krishna and all of the rituals. The festival is celebrated by dancing and singing bhajans, and Matki Fod – a tradition popular in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The Matki Fod is the most awaited ritual where a dahi handi is tied at a height and a human pyramid is formed under it. The person at the top of the pyramid breaks the pot and the dahi (white butter) is set free.
“The parents had dressed their kids well despite the lack of availability of resources; it was amazing to see all of the students come together and participate in the celebration,” adds Janki Vasant.
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