Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik faces criticism after Rapido, the bike taxi aggregator he exposed for illegal operations, became the lead sponsor for a 'Dahi Handi' event organized by his family.
At midnight, August 26-27, 2024, Dahi Handi celebrations commenced in the Dadar area of north central Mumbai on the occasion of Janmashtami.
Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai were marked by fervor, injuries, and political campaigning ahead of local elections. One participant died, and several others were injured during the event.
Two people died and over 300 were injured during the 'Dahi Handi' festival in Mumbai and Thane. The festival involves forming human pyramids to break pots of curd suspended in the air.
Dahi Handi, part of the Janmashtami festival that marks the birth of Lord Krishna, saw enthusiastic visually impaired participants in Mumbai.
As part of the celebrations, Govindas or Dahi Handi participants form multi-tiered human pyramids to break 'Dahi Handis' (claypots filled with curd) suspended in mid-air.
Dahi Handi is celebrated on the day after Krishna Janmashtami. Young men and boys in the city create human pyramids to try and break a pot strung high up above them.
Dressed in colourful attires, Govindas visited places in trucks, tempos, buses and two-wheelers.
'As on August 25, 94,753 Govindas have been insured.' 'This number is expected to rise further, as proposals for 5,000 to 8,000 Govindas are received daily.'
The Dahi Handi festival continues to have many heartwarming moments, discovers Rediff.com's Rajesh Karkera.
Glimpses from the SNDT Women's University in Mumbai where students observed Janmashtami, Lord Krishna's birthday.
Given the fiercely competitive political environment, observers naturally associated an element of appeasement with the Shinde government's move, Shyam G Menon points out.
The Dahi Handi ritual, part of the Janmashtami festival that marks the birth of Lord Krishna, saw enthusiastic participation by revellers in the metropolis, its adjoining areas and other parts of Maharashtra. The festival was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in Mumbai and other parts of the state.
Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary from Ranchi -- the well known Sachin Tendulkar fan seen at cricket grounds the world over when the Indian team is in action -- was spotted watching a Dahi Handi event in Mumbai.
On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, on the eve of Janmashtami, visually impaired children perform Dahi Handi -- the ritual of breaking a pot of curd as once Lord Krishna did in Mathura.
Thane, the home turf of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, will on Friday witness Dahi Handi events being organised by his faction as well as the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.
As many as 51 'Govindas' were injured in Mumbai.
Rediff.com takes you to some of the most-awaited Dahi Handi celebrations in the metropolis.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, however, demanded Dahi Handi festival be allowed to be organised under certain conditions traditionally.
Apart from Rakhi Sawant, Hrithik Roshan and Emraan Hashmi will step out for Gokulashtami today in different parts of the country.
In case of unfortunate death of a participant during the formation of human pyramids, his/her kin would get Rs 10 lakh as compensation from the state government. A player suffering serious injuries would receive Rs 7 lakh, while one with fractures would be paid Rs 5 lakh, he said.
The 'govindas' showed black flags, formed a pyramid on the road and used a ladder to break the Dahi Handi as a sign of protest.
The Chennai Express actor tweeted a picture.
'Dahi Handi', part of the Krishna Janmashtami festivities, was celebrated with extra fervour across Maharashtra on Friday after the COVID-19 pandemic-induced hiatus of two years.
While Kanha steals makkhan, don't forget to steal your admirers' hearts with your style.
Take a look at the pictures, here!
In Mumbai, Kush Khandare, 20, suffered an epileptic attack when he climbed the first layer of a human pyramid.
Here are some of the glimpses of the celebrations.
The actress performed as Radha during the celebrations.
Children under 12 years of age will no longer be allowed to take part in formation of human pyramids during 'Dahi Handi' celebrations, which are integral part of Janmashtami festivities in Maharashtra.
While the Jism 2 actress travelled to Pune to be a part of celebrations, other celebrities visited various Dai Handi venues in Mumbai.
The starlet managed to climb the human pyramid. We look at the pictures.
The apex court also said that children below 18 years should not be allowed in the Dahi Handi event.
"It is not for the high court to impose restrictions on the age of the participants and height of the pyramids as this falls exclusively in the domain of the state legislature," Justice Gavai said.
The festival of 'dahi handi' was celebrated across the metropolis and neighbouring Thane district amid fervour that underscores indomitable spirit of an average Mumbaikar shrugging off the drudgery associated with daily life.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that youth below 18 years of age cannot participate in the Dahi Handi ritual, part of the Janmashtami festival, in Maharashtra and the height of the human pyramid for it cannot exceed 20 feet, a limit fixed by the Bombay High Court.
Maharashtra is a unique place to bring in Janmashtami. At every street corner a pot, symbolic of the handi of butter Lord Krishna so loved, is hung high and human pyramids are formed to bring it down.
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