Nine-tier human pyramid formed during Dahi-Handi festivities

Two Govinda teams managed to form nine-tier human-pyramid in Thane city as the Krishna Janamashtami-Dahi Handi was celebrated in Mumbai and its suburbs with traditional fervour and gaiety on Tuesday.

With lack of clarity over the rules on height –as the Bombay High Court refused to interfere in the matter and the Maharashtra government failed to spell out any new policy, lack of corporate sponsorships and a long-weekend coinciding with 71st Independence Day festivities – the celebrations were scaled down in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and elsewhere in Maharashtra. 

Amidst chants of ‘Govinda Ala Re, Ala, Zara Matki Sambhal Brij Bala’ and ‘Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki…Haati Ghoda, Palki’, hundreds of revellers traversed the length and breadth of Mumbai and its suburbs to form human pyramids and break hanging curd pots to mark the birth of Lord Krishna.

At the time of going to press, there were reports of two deaths and at least 160 Govindas getting injured as the human pyramids crashed down.  Fortunately, however, there were no serious injuries. The injuries, in terms of numbers, was far less than what had been recorded in the previous years. Of the 160 injuries in the MMR, only three are currently in the hospital.

While one death was recorded at Kashipada village in Palghar district, where Rohan Gopinath Kini (21) died after he faced seizure and collapsed. According to reports, the victim was an epilepsy patient - and the incident took place after his group formed a pyramid and broke the curd pit.  Another death was reported from Airoli in Navi Mumbai in Raigad district, where a person was electrocuted.

The maximum buzz was in the Thane city – which is known for big-ticket celebrations and huge prize money.

Two teams – the Jai Jawan Govinda Pathak of Jogeshwari and Shiv Shahi Govinda Mandal of Borivli formed nine-tier human pyramids at Vartak Nagar and Naupada, respectively, in Thane city. The Shiv Shahi team bagged Rs 11 lakh, while the Jai Jawan team bagged Rs one lakh.

Collectively in the MMR, prize money to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore to 2 crores was at stake.

At Dadar in Mumbai, the Nayan Foundation organized Dahi Handi celebrations for visually-challenged boys and girls. The girls managed to break curt pot at three-tier level amidst cheers from the crowd.

In Tardeo in Mumbai, the Gopal Krishna Govinda Pathak had a near miss when the pyramid collapsed leaving the topmost boy hanging on the ropes. In a battle of nerves, the boys on the ground formed a ring and the stranded Govinda jumped into it safely.