Rain fails to dampen spirits as Govindas take to streets for Dahi Handi

As part of the festivities in Mumbai, troops of Govindas form multi-tiered human pyramids to break the dahi handi, a pot filled with dairy products. Several political parties organise Dahi Handis in a show of strength, with many offering cash prizes to the Govinda Pathak (team) that manages to break the earthen vessel. During the course of the celebrations, several participants injure themselves in their attempt to build pyramids and reach the pots.

Amongst the many Dahi Handis organised in the city, some of the largest celebrations were carried out at Dadar, Worli’s Jambori maidan, Ghatkopar and Borivali’s Magathane. Owing to the celebrations, several BEST bus routes were diverted to alternate routes.

Meanwhile, several large scale Dahi Handi festivities were organised at Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s bastion in Thane including the Dighe saheb chi Dahi Handi at Tembhi Naka, Manseche Dahi Handi as well as Sanskruti Pratishthan Dahi Handi.

On Thursday afternoon, Shinde arrived at the Dighe saheb chi Dahi Handi where he urged the Govindas to undertake the pyramid formations carefully.

“My request to all the Govindas is to be careful while forming the tiers of the pyramid. Each of your lives is precious to us. This year, the government has introduced the ‘Pro Govinda’ competition. Alongside this, we have also announced a holiday for Govinda festivities. Furthermore, we have also ensured an insurance of Rs 10 lakh for each of the Govindas”, Shinde told the gathering at Tembhi Naka, before heading to several other Dahi Handis across the city.

In a bulletin issued on Wednesday, Mumbai’s civic body had said that 125 beds have been kept ready across several civic-run hospitals of the city in a bid to treat the injuries of the Govindas. In order to aid the treatment, the BMC deployed medical officers in three shifts and issued instructions to keep medicines, injections as well as surgical materials prepared.

Even as 107 injuries were reported until Thursday night, BMC stated that no untoward incident occurred during the course of celebrations.