Will Govinda Pathaks show their pyramids this Janmashtami?

With several biggies withdrawing their Dahi Handi celebrations to support flood victims, Govinda groups say they can't let two months of hard work go to waste

While Dahi Handi is among the most looked-forward-to festive days in the year in Maharashtra, this year a question hangs over whether Govinda Pathaks will be able to show off their pyramids or not. Organisers, mostly politicians, had said they would cancel the festivities in light of floods across the state.

With just a few days to go before Dahi Handi, a desperate coordinating committee, Dahi Handi Samanvay Samiti, has urged organisers to allow the event to go ahead, even if on a smaller scale, as mandals have been practising for the day for months.

The festival has been mired in controversy for the last few years as being hauled to court over various things such as heights of the human pyramids and the minimum age of participants, etc. Just as it had all been settling down, the flood that affected Kolhapur and Sangli has become a reason for organisers to call off the boisterous festivities.

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The Samanvay Samiti is a coordinator between the authorities, organisers and Govinda Pathaks. The committee claimed that with an eye on the elections, the Govindas started practising two months ago.

Bala Padelkar, chairman of the committee, said, "We are requesting the organisers to keep the spirit of the festival alive and at least organise the events and not cancel them as the Govindas have been practising for months."

The festivities were cancelled by organisers (most of whom are politicians) in view of the floods in western Maharashtra

Last year, after the controversy that gripped BJP MLA Ram Kadam who had stated during the Dahi Handi festival that he would kidnapping women who rejected marriage proposals of the men who sought his help, one of the committee members alleged it was the reason he had called it off this year as many women Govinda Pathaks were unlikely to participate in his Dahi Handi.

Geeta Zagde, secretary of the committee, said, "Recently, Ram Kadam urged the Dahi Handi event organisers to not hold the event and help the flood affected people. Our sympathies, too, are towards the flood affected people and we all can contribute towards helping them, but why ask mandals to cancel the event. The festival should be celebrated even if low key. We have practised for many months. Also, it is clear Kadam is doing this because of the controversy last year." Ram Kadam was not available for comment.

Respect tradition

With Worli seeing its Dahi Handi event organised by Sunil Shinde, Sena MLA, instead of Sachin Ahir, who was with the NCP earlier, Shinde said, "It is tradition and we don't want to disturb the spirit of the festival by cancelling it but the majority of the funds help will go towards flood victims."

For example, "if a cash prize of Rs 5,000 was given earlier to a pathak, this year we will give half as the other half will be contributed for the victims."

Aug 24
Day when Dahi Handi will be celebrated this year

20 ft
Height limit for pyramids set by SC in 2016

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