Mumbai: Pyramids of six to eight tiers were witnessed in Dadar, Ghatkopar, Borivali, Jogeshwari, Mulund, Thane, and Navi Mumbai, on Krishna Janmashtami on Tuesday, with many being patronised by local units of political parties. There was no restriction on the height for the dahi handi celebrations this year as the Bombay High Court had refused to pass any order.
A total of 117 govindas were injured, of which 10 were admitted to hospitals, while others were treated as outpatients. “None required admission in the Intensive Care Unit. We have also not had any patient with severe injuries causing paralysis. Most have reported with fractures and minor head injuries,” said Dr. Avinash Supe, dean of KEM Hospital. He also said that one patient admitted to KEM had suffered a contusion on the head, but is stable.
Three patients admitted to Nair Hospital had limb fractures, while three admitted to Sion Hospital had fractures, with one of them requiring a surgery.
The number of injuries is lower compared to last year’s 162 when the Supreme Court had restricted the height of the pyramid to 20 feet and had introduced a ban on children below 18 years. One of the reasons for fewer injuries could also be that the dahi handi celebration coincided with Independence Day, which is a dry day.
In Palghar, one of the participants had seizures soon after coming down from the pyramid. The Palghar police said Rohan Kini (21) was taken to Philia Hospital where he was declared dead on admission.
In another tragic incident in Airoli, 30-year-old Jayesh Tarale was electrocuted after he stepped on a lose electrical wire. He was taken to a hospital in Mulund, but was declared dead soon after.
A Dadar group managed to break the pot with an eight-tier pyramid, while a Thane all-girls group succeeded with a six-tier pyramid.
In Thane, the biggest prize money was ₹11 lakh and in Ghatkopar it was ₹25 lakh for the successful govinda troupe.
The Jai Jawan Mandal of Thane attempted to build a nine-tier pyramid, but before the top govinda could grab the pot, it came crashing down.
All-girls groups in Dadar, Goregaon and Vikhroli were a huge attraction when they created six-tier pyramids. An all-girls group in Vile Parle managed to break the pot, making them among the first to succeed in the city in the afternoon.
As per government directives, all the organisers have implemented security measures like helmets, harnesses and body belts, and mattresses on the ground.
(With IANS inputs)