Chetna Yerunkar gets a first-hand look at the work involved in creating a human pyramid for Gokulashtami

As the festival of Gokulashtami approaches, I have been given the rather rare opportunity of being part of a human pyramid - by an all-female Dahi Handi Mandal - that will, on August 22, break an earthen pot (handi) on the busy streets of Mumbai.

The Mandal at JJ Hospital is coached by Raja Shivtarkar, who has played this role for 15 years and travels across the city with his team on the day of the festival. There are around 30 girls in the mandal, all from different age groups, who practice for more than a month before the festival. As professional Kabaddi players too, a month is usually sufficient for them.