Mumbai: Meet the wonder women of Janmashtami

On Janmashtami, among the many pyramids reaching skyward to break that elusive pot of dahi, will be some delicate hands. The city's mahila dahi mandals may be few in number but their dedication and passion remains unmatched. We round up of some of the city's popular women govindas and where to find them.

The Agripada Mahila Govinda Pathak in action at an event organised by a political party in Khar. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Gopika Dahi Mandal
This five-year old group can usually be found practising their moves a month before the festival, at the grounds near Mount Mary steps. "We are the first women's dahi mandal in Bandra. Our members are between the ages of 12 and 35 years and they're all equally enthusiastic about participating," says Rohit Chandrakant Raut, president of the group. The 60-member group can usually be found along the Western Railway line, covering Dadar, Worli, Santacruz and Vile Parle.

Gopika Dahi Mandal warming up before their practices. Pic/Sneha Kharabe

AT Mount Mary steps, opposite Blue Heaven Building, Bandra (W).
TIME 1 pm

Parle Sports Club Mahila Dahi Handi Pathak
Age is no bar in this 15-year-old women govinda group. You can find youngsters from the age of eight to married mothers and grandmothers going up to 50 years. The group consists of 200 women. Every year, they begin their practices from two months before. "We are called to perform at a lot of place, even outside the city. This year, we will be going to Pune, Sangli and Nashik after Mumbai," says Geeta Zagade, the president of the group.

Parle Sports Club members take a well-deserved break. Pic/Prabhanjan Dhanu

AT Nehru Road, near Adarsh Petrol Pump, Vile Parle (E).
TIME 8 am

Sai Kadeshwari Mahila Govinda Path
In their third year of existence, this women's group is well-known in Bandra. "We are called for all the dahi handa functions in this area," informs Meera Nirmal, the group's chairperson. On Janmashtami, they start their rounds at midnight, moving around Worli, Khar and Bandra to attend the night celebrations, before setting out again in the morning.

AT Ground near Kabrastan, Khar Danda.
TIME 8 am

Hirkani Mahila Govinda Path
The five-year-old group in Kandivali has 45 women who regularly practice and participate in dahi handi celebrations. "The women make it a point to come for as many practices as they can so that we can win as many competitions as possible," says chairperson, Vaijanti Nakhawa. They have two boys in the group but "only for security".

Hirkani Mahila group has two boys in their group for "security reasons". Pic/Nimesh Dave

AT Devipada, Borivali (E).
TIME 10 am