Mumbai: 195 'Govindas' injured in separate incidents while celebrating Dahi Handi

Pic/Satej Shinde

As many as 195 'Govindas', youngsters involved in the formation of multi-storeyed human pyramids as part of 'Dahi Handi' celebrations associated with Krishna Janmashtami, were injured in Mumbai, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Friday.

BMC said that out of 195 Govindas, 18 were admitted to the hospital while 177 others were discharged.

"195 Govindas injured in different incidents during Dahi Handi organised on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, in Mumbai. Out of which, 18 were admitted to the hospital, and 177 others were discharged," BMC said.

The injured revellers were taken to various medical facilities, including KEM Hospital, Sion Hospital, Rajawadi Hospital, ST George Hospital, Nair Hospital, Bombay Hospital and Cooper Hospital.

The Dahi Handi ritual, part of the Janmashtami festival that marks the birth of Lord Krishna, saw enthusiastic participation by revellers in the metropolis, its adjoining areas and other parts of Maharashtra. The festival was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in Mumbai and other parts of the state.

As part of celebrations, Govindas, or Dahi Handi participants, formed multi-tiered human pyramids to break 'dahi handis' (claypots filled with curd) suspended in mid-air.

Prominent politicians, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Bollywood celebrities attended Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai and Thane city.

The celebrations began in the morning amid rains and continued till late in the evening. Competitions were organised at various locations across Mumbai, offering cash prizes for the Govinda groups that succeed in breaking dahi handis. During the formation of human pyramids, there are chances of participants falling down and getting injured, in some cases critically.

As part of its proactive measures, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had kept 125 beds ready at civic-run hospitals to treat the injured Govindas, BMC had said earlier.

As part of the festival, dahi handis decorated with flowers were hoisted many feet above the ground at several housing societies, roads, junctions and public grounds across Mumbai. Dressed in colourful attires, Govindas were seen crisscrossing parts of the city in trucks, tempos, buses and two-wheelers throughout the day.

Popular Bollywood songs about the festival kept blaring from speakers at every nook and corner of the metropolis, with the festive spirit particularly high in Marathi-dominated pockets like Parel, Lalbaug, Worli, Dadar, Bhandup, Mulund, Goregaon and Andheri.

Civic-run transport undertaking BEST said it diverted several buses on account of Dahi Handi celebrations which often block the roads.

Several political leaders and Bollywood celebrities visited Dahi Handi events organised by famous 'mandals' (groups) in Mumbai and Thane city.

Chief Minister Shinde attended Dahi Handi celebrations at Tembhi Naka in Thane city, while deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis visited such events in Worli and Magathane in Mumbai.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray attended Dahi Handi festivities in Dadar, Girgaon and other places, while Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray visited a Dahi Handi event in Thane city.

In recent years, some Dahi Handi events backed by politicians in Mumbai and neighbouring cities have become famous due to hefty prize money, the presence of celebrities and entertainment programmes organised there. These Dahi Handis attract huge crowds and a steady flow of Govindas.

(With inputs from PTI)