City-based biologist Abhishek Satam is as excited as can be for this Janmashtami and subsequent ‘Dahi Handi’ celebration in the city today. Satam like many others in the city wasn’t able to celebrate the festival like he would usually do because of the Covid-19 pandemic that wreaked havoc around the world. He says, “I love photography. Every year, my group of friends go around capturing the good moments of ‘Dahi Handi’ in Dadar, Mahim and Lalbaug. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to do it in the last two years because of Covid. We are very excited and my wife, who will be accompanying us this time, is looking forward to it.”

Every year, Janmashtami is celebrated during this time of the year marking the birth of Lord Krishna. It is also one of the biggest festivals for Mumbaikars, which is followed by ‘Dahi Handi’, a yearly ritual, with high stakes in many parts of the city. The enthusiasm of many Mumbaikars like Satam is understandable, especially because they haven’t been able to celebrate the festival in the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic-induced lockdowns which meant that people were confined to their homes.