You can hear cries of 'Ala re, ala, Govinda ala re' during this festival. Known for its human pyramids, broken matkis and big prize money, dahi handi marks the high point of celebrations on Janmashtami, the birthday of Krishna.
You can hear cries of 'Ala re, ala, Govinda ala re' during this festival. Known for its human pyramids, broken matkis and big prize money, dahi handi marks the high point of celebrations on Janmashtami, the birthday of Krishna.
The human pyramids straining to reach the handi hung high are an emulation of the naughty child Krishna's antics to steal butter.
Dahi handi is celebrated with fervour in the city, in every nook and corner by numerous groups. Competition is stiff and the winner takes it all.
Dahi handi winner
The Shiv Tej group from Kasba Peth won the dahi handi competition at Hutatma Babu Genu Mandal. "We are not tired and are raring to go for more competitions tonight," said Shiv Tej member Amit Dhoke (26). The group has won this trophy for six years, besides the first prize in events in Baramati, Sangli, Solapur and Islampur.
The around 250 members of the group who participated last night were aged between seven and 50 years.
Sachin Jagtap (27), a member, said, "We have been practising for a month for almost three hours a day."
Joy of giving
Some mandals organise different activities for social good.u00a0 The Akra Maruti Chowk mandal was started seven years ago, and its secretary Vinayak Vithalrao Ghate said, "We try to help the needy. At Eklavya Shikshasan Sanstha, we distribute books, compasses, school bags and even grains. This year, students of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Institute will give a demonstration and form the pyramid."
Tulsibaug Mandal treasurer Nitin Pandit said, "We are giving 1,000 kg of foodgrains to a social institution for the third consecutive year. We don't put up pandals, but we celebrate our karigar's birthday when we give something in kind for a good cause. We have already done this for 15 people and will continue this the whole year."
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