**Tragic Incidents Mar Dahi Handi Celebrations in Maharashtra**
Two individuals lost their lives and over 200 were injured during the Dahi Handi festivities in Maharashtra on Saturday. Among the deceased were a 14-year-old boy from Mumbai, who was participating as a ‘govinda’, and a 32-year-old man.
According to a civic official from Mumbai, the teenager, who had recently recovered from jaundice, was not involved in the pyramid formation and collapsed while seated in a tempo. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. In a separate incident, Jagmohan Shivkiran Chaudhari, 32, tragically fell to his death while attempting to tie the ‘Dahi Handi’ in Mankhurd. He fell from the first-floor window grille of his home and was also declared dead upon reaching the civic-run Shatabdi Govandi Hospital.
The Dahi Handi festival, celebrated during Janmashtami, commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna. Participants, known as ‘govindas’, form human pyramids to break earthen pots filled with curd that are suspended in the air.
In Thane, at least nine ‘govindas’, including a five-year-old and several ten-year-olds, sustained injuries during the celebrations. A 13-year-old girl suffered a fractured right hand, while a 10-year-old boy incurred a head injury. A five-year-old was treated for a left shoulder injury, and all three are currently receiving care at Kalwa Hospital. Another 10-year-old boy was treated at a Thane district hospital for a left-hand injury.
Yasin Tadvi, chief of the Disaster Management Cell at the Thane Municipal Corporation, stated that event organizers had been explicitly instructed against allowing children under 14 to participate. “Despite repeated warnings, children below 14 years were found forming pyramids, which is extremely risky,” he emphasized.
In a notable event, a team of ‘govindas’ successfully formed a 10-layer human pyramid at a Thane celebration organized by Purvesh Sarnaik, son of Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. The minister claimed this achievement set a world record and announced a prize of Rs 25 lakh for the Konkan Nagar Raja Govinda team that accomplished this feat.
**FAQ**
**What is the Dahi Handi festival?**
The Dahi Handi festival, celebrated during Janmashtami, involves participants forming human pyramids to break pots filled with curd, symbolizing the playful nature of Lord Krishna.