Blind students at the Kamla Mehta Blind School in Dadar, north Mumbai, celebrated Janmashtami with a traditional Dahi Handi event.
Dahi Handi celebrations in Maharashtra turned tragic with two fatalities and over 130 'Govindas' injured. A seven-year-old boy died in Mumbai after a brick column collapsed, while a woman was crushed by an iron frame in Pune. Authorities are investigating the incidents, and political leaders have urged for safety during the festivities.
In Pune, 31 prominent Ganapati mandals celebrated a "DJ-free" Dahi Handi, advocating for traditional instruments over high-decibel sound systems for upcoming festivals like Ganeshotsav. This initiative, led by Punit Balan, aims to preserve Maharashtra's cultural heritage and reduce noise pollution, gaining support from around 200 mandals and the Chief Minister.
Oriental Insurance has insured around 100 Ganesh pandals this year compared with only 20-30 last year.
More than a dozen Shiv Sena functionaries, including district and city unit chiefs and an MLA's son, have been booked for allegedly assaulting, abusing, and threatening hospital staff in Palghar. The incident occurred after 'govindas' injured during Dahi Handi celebrations were brought for treatment, and a dispute arose over medical bills. The NCP (SP) has condemned the incident, calling it an attack on the medical system and the rule of law, and demanded strict action.
Sanjay Dutt's confession about his inability to learn Marathi, even after six years in Yerwada jail, has inadvertently sparked controversy and put Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik in an awkward position, given Sarnaik's stringent policy on Marathi proficiency for auto and taxi drivers.
Glimpses from Janmashtami celebrations taking shape across India before the festival.
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.
Mumbai Police have issued a prohibitory order banning weapons, explosives, and other harmful articles from August 29 to September 27, ahead of major festivals like Dahi Handi and Ganesh Chaturthi. The order aims to maintain public peace and safety, with specific exemptions for government personnel and security guards.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced the suspension of Shiv Sena Palghar city president Rahul Gharat following an alleged assault on hospital staff, including a doctor, by party functionaries. The incident occurred at Relief Hospital in Palghar over a dispute concerning medical bills for Dahi Handi participants. Shinde condemned the violence, stating that such behaviour would not be tolerated and that grievances should be addressed through legal channels.
Maharashtra ministers are divided over the use of high-decibel DJ systems during Hindu festivals. While Minister Yogesh Kadam asserts that festival sound will not be stopped, his colleagues Sanjay Shirsat and Meghana Bordikar advocate for adherence to noise pollution norms, with Bordikar citing a personal tragedy. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also called for a return to traditional celebrations and a consensus on restricting DJ systems.
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.
At midnight, August 26-27, 2024, Dahi Handi celebrations commenced in the Dadar area of north central Mumbai on the occasion of Janmashtami.
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.
'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.'
Suryakumar Yadav has been named as the brand ambassador for the Pro Govinda League (PGL) -- India's first professional human-pyramid league.
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.
The Dahi Handi festival continues to have many heartwarming moments, discovers Rediff.com's Rajesh Karkera.
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.
Glimpses from the SNDT Women's University in Mumbai where students observed Janmashtami, Lord Krishna's birthday.
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.
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.
Given the fiercely competitive political environment, observers naturally associated an element of appeasement with the Shinde government's move, Shyam G Menon points out.
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.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, however, demanded Dahi Handi festival be allowed to be organised under certain conditions traditionally.
While Kanha steals makkhan, don't forget to steal your admirers' hearts with your style.
As many as 51 'Govindas' were injured in Mumbai.
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.
'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.
Rediff.com takes you to some of the most-awaited Dahi Handi celebrations in the metropolis.
Apart from Rakhi Sawant, Hrithik Roshan and Emraan Hashmi will step out for Gokulashtami today in different parts of the country.
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.
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.
The Chennai Express actor tweeted a picture.
A Govinda squad in Thane, India, formed a 10-layer human pyramid during a Dahi Handi event, with organizers claiming it as a world record. A prize of Rs 25 lakh was announced for the team.
