Male and female govindas participate in a Dahi Handi celebration in Dadar, Mumbai, on Saturday. PIC/ASHISH RAJE
A little govinda with his father at the Dahi Handi event
Mumbai came alive with colour, music and festive energy on Saturday as the city celebrated Janmashtami with traditional Dahi Handi festivities
Govinda pathaks from different parts of the city gathered at several locations to mark the birth of Lord Krishna by forming human pyramids and attempting to break suspended earthen pots
Dadar witnessed vibrant celebrations, with groups of govindas taking to the streets amid cheering crowds
The festivities brought together participants of different ages, with male and female govindas joining the celebrations and displaying their coordination and enthusiasm
The traditional festival, which recreates Lord Krishna’s childhood practice of stealing curd and butter from pots hung out of reach, is among Mumbai’s most popular cultural celebrations
A resident captures the competition on his phone
A young woman dresses up as Lord Krishna at the Dahi Handi festivities
Dahi Handi has evolved into a major public spectacle in the city, with govinda pathaks training for weeks to build multi-level human pyramids and reach the handi
An ambulance at the event venue. Medical teams have been kept ready at the venues to ensure that in case of an emergency, govindas get immediate help
As many as 118 govindas were injured during Dahi Handi 2026 celebrations in Mumbai, with 80 still under treatment at various government and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) hospitals, according to an update received till 6 pm
With music, colourful attire, cheering crowds and energetic govinda pathaks filling the neighbourhood, Dadar offered a glimpse of Mumbai’s enduring connection with the Dahi Handi tradition on Janmashtami
One of the highlights was an eight-level pyramid formed by the Sundar Nagar Govinda group outside Dadar station
Organisers made arrangements to protect participating govindas, including placing safety material on the road at Ideal Galli in Dadar West as the groups attempted to form human pyramids.
