Janmashtami celebrations: 170 ‘govindas’ injured across Mumbai

MUMBAI - Several “Govindas” were injured Thursday, some critically, across Mumbai while they formed human pyramids to reach ‘dahi handis’ - pots of curd - suspended high above the ground on the occasion of Janmasthami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, officials said.

Breaking the dahi handi evokes the spirit of Krishna who loved eating curd and butter and broke earthen pots to eat them.

“So far we have sent 170 Govindas to government hospitals, 152 of which have been discharged after treatment. 18 are still in hospitals and some of them are critical,” said a disaster management officer of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

“We are still getting calls about more injuries,” he added.

Dahi Handi celebrations were on a high this year, with several places offering whopping prize money of Rs.25 lakh.

“Of the 70 Govindas that were brought here, we have treated 59 and discharged them. Eleven Govindas are still being treated and one of them is in a critical condition,” said a medical officer from KEM Hospital in souhcentral Mumbai.

An earthen pot containing a mixture of milk, dry fruits and ghee is hung around 20-30 feet above the ground with the help of a rope.

Enthusiastic young men form a human pyramid by standing on top of one another, trying to break the pot. Onlookers throw water on the young men to prevent them from doing so.

Breaking of the pot is followed by prize distribution. Devotees believe the broken pieces of earthen pot keep away mice and negative influences from their homes.