The festivities, however, were marred by tragedy with the deaths of a 39-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy, though neither incident occurred during pyramid formations
Pic/PTI
Despite heavy rain on Saturday, Mumbai’s Gokulashtami spirit remained undeterred as dahi handi celebrations went ahead across the city. The festivities, however, were marred by tragedy with the deaths of a 39-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy, though neither incident occurred during pyramid formations.
Till 10.30 am on Sunday, at least 318 Govindas had sustained injuries during the celebrations. According to the BMC, 294 of them were discharged after receiving treatment, while 24 continue to remain hospitalised. Of the total injured, 135 were reported in the island city, 72 in the eastern suburbs, and 111 in the western suburbs.
Rohan Mohan Malvi, part of the Gaondevi Govinda Pathak, fell unconscious while sitting in a tempo at Adarsh Nagar in Mumbai's Andheri area on Saturday, an official said, adding he did not take part in the pyramid formation since he recently suffered a bout of jaundice.
"He was rushed to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar where doctors declared him dead on arrival," the official said.
Earlier, on Saturday afternoon, a 32-year-old man, identified as Jagmohan Shivkiran Chaudhari, fell to death while tying 'Dahi Handi' in Mankhurd in the north eastern part of the metropolis, officials said.
"He was tying the handi to a rope from the first-floor window grille of his house in Maharashtra Nagar when he fell. He was taken to the civic-run Shatabdi Govandi Hospital where he was declared brought dead," an official said.
Dahi Handi festival is celebrated across Maharashtra to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. The festival sees troupes of young men and women forming human pyramids to break dahi handis (pots of curd) suspended in the air with ropes.
Amid heavy rains, a 'govinda' team formed a 10-layer pyramid at an event in Thane, which Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik claimed was a "world record". He also announced a prize of Rs 25 lakh for the Konkan Nagar Raja Govinda Team, which achieved the feat.
"Earlier, a record of nine layers was set on our stage. Today, govindas of Konkan Nagar achieved ten layers," Sarnaik's son Purvesh, who organised the Thane event, said.
In Mumbai, the streets came alive with the sound of cheers as groups of men and women participated in Dahi Handi competitions. At Dadar, a group of women broke the Dahi Handi.
The city also witnessed multiple such events throughout the day, with participants recreating the childhood antics of Krishna by forming human pyramids to reach the clay pot filled with curd and butter.
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