Mumbai: Dahi Handi competition participants plan to donate for flood victims

People here geared up to celebrate Dahi Handi, one of the city's most vibrant and lively events of the year.

Human pyramids attempted to break earthen pots filled with butter or curd hung from a significant height, a traditional way of observing Krishna Janmashtami in the state.

However, this festival has also led to several people getting injured in the past, owing to the height of pyramids and negligible safety measures put in place. Participants still put in their best efforts to prepare for the event.

Archana a member of Tejaswini Sports Club in the city said: "We wait for Dahi Handi like anything and this year we are back to participate in it with double zeal."

This year's celebration is turning out to be a bit different due to the recent floods which hit the state.

Archana expressed that their team is ready to contribute from their prize money to help flood-hit victims and said, "Whatever money we get will be utilised to support the flood victims and will try our best to help them."

Another member of the club, Rubina Sheikh said, "We love this day and have been practising for the last two months."

"Some of us are college students, some office goers, but everyone manages for this day," she added.

Another setback which has limited the celebrations on the day is the court's order restricting the height of human pyramids and government's direction to ensure the safety of participants.

Prashant, a member of another mandal said, "Our mandal has been participating in Dahi Handi festivities for about eight years."

Despite the court's order, they do plan to make a "nine tier human pyramid" as they have been preparing for it for the last three days.

He added, "we have prepared for it like we do every time, although, there seems less enthusiasm due to recent floods. We are planning to donate some amount from the prize to the victims."

The Bombay High Court had fixed the height of human pyramids to not more than 20 feet. The order has however been challenged in Supreme Court by various orgsations on different legal grounds.

As per the Hindu calendar, Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, was born on the eighth day of the month of Bhadra. The day mostly falls in the months of August or September as per the Western calendar.

The festival is celebrated by offering prayers to Lord Krishna. An idol of infant Krishna over a beautifully decorated swing is often the centre of festivities with dance and music performances and Dahi Handi competition being orgsed at different places.

( With inputs from ANI )