Janmashtami 2024: Will It Rain in Mumbai on Dahi Handi 2024? Weather Forecast and Theories Explained

Mumbai’s Dahi Handi celebrations, a vibrant and iconic event held during Janmashtami, have been marred by unexpected rain showers in recent years. This lively festival, celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, sees enthusiastic participants forming human pyramids to break clay pots filled with curd. As the city prepares 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.

Dahi Handi 2024

Dahi Handi is a traditional Indian festival where 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 handi. The festival is a recreation of this mythological event.

Dahi Handi is celebrated with great enthusiasm, especially in Mumbai and Pune. Teams of young men, known as “govindas,” compete to break the handi by forming human pyramids. The team that successfully breaks the handi is awarded 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 Rain 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 precipitation. The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a belt of low-pressure systems, also plays a significant role in Mumbai’s rainfall.

What Legend Says

According to legend, a heavy downpour occurred when Lord Krishna was born, symbolising the washing away 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 of cooling the earth and bringing relief from the heat. During Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai, rain is considered auspicious.

Will It Rain This Year on Dahi Handi?

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai is very likely to see heavy rainfall at isolated places.

On August 26th, Mumbai can expect a high temperature of 31°C and a low of 26°C, as per Accuweather. There will be times of rain with occasional rain showers, with a 60% chance of precipitation. The skies will be cloudy with rain showers throughout the day.

On August 27th, the temperature will be slightly warmer, with a high of 32°C and a low of 26°C. The rain will taper off, but there will still be cloudy skies with a few showers. The chance of precipitation is 75%.

Overall, it will be a cloudy and rainy couple of days during the Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai.