Gopalakala is another name of Dahi Handi festival in Maharashtra. In 2011, the date of Gopalakala is August 22. It is also the name of a popular dish prepared in the many parts of India and offered to Lord Krishna. Gopal Kala is observed during the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in Shravan month. The day falls after the Sri Krishna Jayanti day in Maharashtra.
The Gopalakala name for Dahi Handi festival comes from a dish prepared on the festival day. The dish is a mixture of yoghurt, pounded rice and jaggery, which is offered to Krishna on the day.
The Gopalakala mixture is placed in the Dahi Handi pot and young men and women compete against each other to break open the pot placed high above the ground. In Maharashtra, group of men and women form human pyramids to break the Dahi Handi pot.