Dahi Handi was organised in Mumbai and surrounding cities today as well, with thousands of 'Govindas' forming human pyramids and breaking pots in the narrow lanes of Lalbaug and Dadar in central Mumbai and Thane.
Dahi Handi celebrations continue in Mumbai even today.
Dahi Handi was organised at several places in Mumbai and surrounding cities on Saturday (5 September), and thousands of 'Govindas' formed human pyramids and tried to break pots filled with curd hung at a height. During this, the beats of drums echoed from the narrow streets of Lalbaug and Dadar in central Mumbai to the big venues of Thane. After months of practice, 'Govinda' groups of young men and women reached different parts of the city and suburbs to participate in Dahi Handi events and win prizes worth lakhs of rupees.
Hundreds of "handis," decorated with flowers and balloons, were hung high above the city's many residential societies, busy intersections, and open grounds after midnight on Friday (September 4) to celebrate Lord Krishna's birth anniversary. Under Dahi Handi, young men and women form multi-tiered human pyramids and break pots filled with yogurt suspended several meters above the ground.
The civic body has deployed emergency teams to handle the injuries sustained during the breaking of the handi.
"Govinda" groups, dressed in colorful costumes, set out from early morning in open trucks and tempos toward the city's major venues. Municipal officials have prepared more than 100 hospital beds and emergency medical teams to treat "Govindas" who are injured while breaking the pot.
In Parel, Lalbaug, Worli, Dadar, Bhandup, Mulund, Jogeshwari and Andheri, as well as neighboring Thane and Navi Mumbai, popular Hindi and Marathi songs played on speakers, adding to the festive spirit. Dahi Handi events organized by politicians in Mumbai and surrounding areas have emerged as major attractions over the past few years.
Deployment of a large number of policemen in sensitive areas
Police have increased security in sensitive areas and deployed a large number of police personnel. Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has made elaborate arrangements for the treatment of 'Govindas' who are injured during the breaking of the handi.
In a statement issued on Friday, the civic body said that apart from its 16 suburban hospitals, more than 100 beds have been kept ready at the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital in Sion, KEM Hospital in Parel and Nair Hospital in Mumbai Central.
