The heavy evening rain is not letting the city's Govindas practise for the tradition of forming human pyramids to break dahi handis during the upcoming festival of Gokulashtmi
The heavy evening rain is not letting the city's Govindas practise for the tradition of forming human pyramids to break dahi handis during the upcoming festival of Gokulashtmi
Incessant evening rain over the last week is giving Mumbai's Govinda's sleepless nights. The men and women, who usually use the time to practise forming human pyramids that often measure several floors, to crack the dahi handi during the annual festival of Gokulashtmi, have been unable to practice. 
Heavy rains that have lashed the city, especially after sundown, have made preparations difficult for most Govinda mandals, who fear that lack of practice will render their performance weak on August 22 this year.
Rain makes it difficult to form a firm grip, making practise risky. Spectators like watching massive pyramids ranging eight to nine layers, but climbing on each other's shoulders requires ceaseless practice, which is impossible when rain makes things slippery.
"In the past, we have formed pyramids as high as nine layers, but this year we have only managed three. We all have day jobs so it's only in the evenings that we can take out time to practice. But the heavy evening downpour over the past week has ruined our plans," rued Prashant Surve, one of the Govindas with the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandal Tadwadi at Mazgaon.
"On the day of the festival, we will form pyramids, irrespective of rain, but what height you make it to depends on practise. If it continues to rain like this, the festival is unlikely to see sty-high pyramids like it saw last year.
It won't be as much fun," said Ganesh Adivarekar, a committee member of Chinchpokli Dahihandi mandal.
The Govindas usually require at least a month's preparation to manage the feat, and if in that one month they are unable to grab ten to fifteen days of practice, the end result is already in doubt.
"If the first and second layer is not strong, it is difficult for the girls above to balance themselves. The process requires continuous practice in an open space," is Amar Bharat Mahila Sangha coach Rajesh Shivtarkar's worry.
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