In the wake of severe floods in western Maharashtra, especially in Kolhapur and Sangli districts, earlier this month, the 'dahi handi' festival is being celebrated in a subdued manner in Mumbai and other parts of the state on Saturday. Several dahi handi mandals and organisers of events in Mumbai and other parts of the state have decided to keep the celebrations low-key, to show solidarity with the people affected by the devastating floods. Some of the mandals are also donating money for the flood relief work.

The dahi handi ritual is part of the Janmashtami festival in Maharashtra, where youngsters (called Govindas), dressed in colourful attire, make human pyramid to reach an earthen pot containing buttermilk and suspended in mid-air, and break it. Gorakhnath Mahila Dahi Handi Pathak Mandal, an organisation of women Govindas, has decided to celebrate the festival just to keep the tradition on. "We are going to celebrate the dahi handi festival, but not with usual fervour. We will celebrate it just to keep our tradition on. We cannot forget the hardships our brothers and sisters are facing in parts of state due to severefloods," founder of the mandal Bhau Koregaonkar said.