Maharashtra: 35 mandals hold joint Dahi Handi event in Pune

In a unique initiative to alleviate traffic congestion in Pune city 35 prominent mandals have joined forces and organised a single Dahi Handi event at the iconic Lal Mahal Chowk near Shaniwar Wada reported news agency ANIThis collective effort aims to minimise disruptions and ease traffic flow during peak hoursThe participating mandals including Shrimant Bhau Rangari Ganapati Trust and Shri Tambdi Jogeshwari Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandal have opted for a joint celebration to avoid causing snarls in the central part of the city reported ANIPuneet Balan chairman of the Bhausaheb Rangari Ganapati temple spearheaded the initiative citing the objective of reducing traffic congestion and noise pollution reported ANIPuneet Balan said that he is grateful to all the Govindas that participated in this firstever joint Dahi Handi organised in Pune city reported ANII am grateful to all the Govindas that participated in this firstever joint Dahi Handi organised in Pune city We are deeply grateful to the people of Pune who enthusiastically attended and participated in this Dahi Handi The police administration helped and ensured everyones safety the Dahi Handi event was conducted smoothly and a Punebased Govinda team named Shivtej broke the Dahi Handi Balan said reported ANIThe Dahi Handi event promises to be a spectacular display of unity and festive spirit Meanwhile Dahi Handis adorned with flowers has been erected accompanied by traditional drumbeats and popular Bollywood songs keeping the enthusiasm high245 Govindas injured during Dahi Handi celebrations in MumbaiEarlier on Tuesday 245 Govindas were injured in Mumbai during the Dahi Handi celebrations on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami according to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMCLast year during the Dahi Handi celebrations as many as 195 Govindas were injured in different incidents while celebrating Dahi Handi Last year the BMC reported that out of the 195 Govindas 18 were admitted to the hospital while the remaining 177 were dischargedDahi Handi celebrations in MaharashtraOne of the major cultural activities Dahi Handi is celebrated by filling an earthen pot with curd butter and other milk products Subsequently a group of people form a human pyramid to reach the matka and break itThe tradition symbolises Lord Krishnas playfulness and innocence as well as his love for butter and curd Dahi Handi celebrations commemorate Lord Krishnas act of eating Dahi hung at a height when he was a childAs 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 August or September as per the Western calendarThe festival of Janmashtami is celebrated by offering prayers to Lord Krishna with beautifully decorated swings dance and music performances along with the Dahi Handi competitionWith inputs from ANI