Uriyadi - Breaking of the Pots

19 Aug 2003, Amritapuri

The children were ready. About 25 children had gathered at the base of the temple steps, where a small clay pot had been suspended about 6 meters in the air. Painted blue like Sri Krishna, wearing yellow head- and waistbands, and wielding sticks, the children were ready for battle. They knew that inside that clay pot was a treasure of treats.

Welcome to the traditional Sri Krishna Jayanthi ceremony of the Breaking of the Pots.
This game naturally calls to one’s mind the pot breaking that young Krishna committed, in his mischievous efforts to steal the gopis’ butter.

Not only would the children have to contend with the pot being raised and lowered on a rope, but also with the water, kept in a large pot nearby, that would be splashed on them during every attempted swing! This was the challenge, and the fun!

Meanwhile, around the corner came a procession led by a girl and boy dressed as Radha and Krishna. Following them were about 100 older boys, all wearing red or orange headbands, who were dancing and jumping and singing Krishna bhajans. At the tail end were the Tayambaka musicians beating out their rhythms, and Ram the elephant, regal in his head-dress and garlands. The group broke into three smaller groups, each dancing and singing on their own, and seeming to try to ‘out-fervor’ the other!

Then the conch shell sounded, announcing Amma had come, and everyone’s fervour skyrocketed!

Amma took Her seat facing the event area, and began to receive the smallest of the children who were dressed as Krishna, into Her lap. She was feeding them as the dancers below ended their bhajan with a resounding JAI BOLO MATA KI JAI!

And with that, the water began to fly! One contestant would run, jump and swing at the pot, while cupfuls of water would splash him from every direction! In quick succession they came, until finally the pot was granted early moksha by a small stick-wielding Liberator, and everyone dived into the mud for the sweet wrapped candies. Like this, many pots were hoisted, and each round drew loud oohs and aahs as some swings would miss or come close, until finally one would hit, eliciting loud cheers from everyone, especially Amma, who was giggling like a small child along with everyone else! During all this, the atmosphere was surcharged with the Mahamantra ‘Hare Rama…Hare Krishna…’ which was played continuously on the loudspeakers.

One round saw Paattiamma, an ashram resident and elderly grandmother, taking her pot-shots and getting as wet as everyone else! A small child came and the two of them took turns, showing that whether we are four or 84, in Amma’s presence we are all children. Afterwards, she came to Amma, who lovingly stroked Paattiamma’s face and head, and with the love of a concerned mother, asked her to go and quickly dry her hair!

A later round saw another older ashram resident, the spry Tejas, join in. He came prepared, carrying a large red umbrella and goggles! Fearless, he ran in, though missing the pot by a mile due to his cumbersome load. Amma, however, was in stitches, pointing and laughing, and one could see from Tejas’ expression that making Amma laugh was his real target! He tried again, and though this time his stick again missed the pot, it did manage to break his umbrella! Everyone had a good laugh, and continued to watch the children take their rounds…when again came Tejas, this time with an 18 ft bamboo rod! Determined, he lifted the heavy pole, and stood below, just barely reaching the pot enough to crack it. He said that next year maybe he’ll try bringing a slingshot!

Many of the participants kept on dancing in the mud, thoroughly having a good time, and laughter seemed to vibrate in the air itself. The games finally ended with the boys forming a human pyramid, which took a few tries, but finally succeeded in breaking the last pot. With that, Amma, still smiling, got up and went inside, as bhajans were to begin soon.

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Uriyadi