MUMBAI/ NAVI MUMBAI/ THANE: Not just Ganeshotsav, the festival of Gokulashtami, which precedes it, will be muted as well. BJP MLA Ram Kadam Friday called off his annual dahi handi celebration that takes place in Ghatkopar owing to the pandemic. Gokulashtami will be celebrated August 12, while Ganeshotsav is from August 22-September 1.
Kadam said, "Several celebrities attend our event. Thousands of people gather to watch the pot being broken. Owing to Covid-19, the mandal has decided not to undertake festivities. We will celebrate Lord Krishna's birth in a simple manner." Kadam had cancelled in 2019 as well, ostensibly due to floods in Kolhapur and Sangli.
Uncertainty also looms over dahi handi in Thane, the epicentre of festivity, and in Navi Mumbai. Thane's leading organiser and Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik said, "Most likely the festival will be cancelled. We will confer with the Dahi Handi Samanvay Samiti members Sunday night to take a final decision." Avinash Jadhav, Thane city chief of MNS, said they were awaiting the government's decision. Minister Jitendra Awhad, who stopped his event years ago, felt it was impractical to risk community spread of Covid-19 by organising festivities.
In Navi Mumbai, mandals which distribute prizes over Rs 1 lakh have also truncated dahi handi. Ravindra Ithape of Jankalyan Mitra Mandal in Nerul said, "We will have to cancel. At best we can tie the curd pot at a height of six feet and make a child break the pot only to keep tradition."
Manohar Madhvi of Karan Mitra Mandal and Vijay Chowgule of Sunil Chowgule Sports Association in Airoli said their prize money will now be used for Covid relief.
Navi Mumbai police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said, "As per the government guidelines for covid pandemic, no religious congregation is allowed. As of now, we have not taken any (official) decision on dahi handi."
(Inputs by Bella Jaisinghani)
Kadam said, "Several celebrities attend our event. Thousands of people gather to watch the pot being broken. Owing to Covid-19, the mandal has decided not to undertake festivities. We will celebrate Lord Krishna's birth in a simple manner." Kadam had cancelled in 2019 as well, ostensibly due to floods in Kolhapur and Sangli.
Uncertainty also looms over dahi handi in Thane, the epicentre of festivity, and in Navi Mumbai. Thane's leading organiser and Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik said, "Most likely the festival will be cancelled. We will confer with the Dahi Handi Samanvay Samiti members Sunday night to take a final decision." Avinash Jadhav, Thane city chief of MNS, said they were awaiting the government's decision. Minister Jitendra Awhad, who stopped his event years ago, felt it was impractical to risk community spread of Covid-19 by organising festivities.
In Navi Mumbai, mandals which distribute prizes over Rs 1 lakh have also truncated dahi handi. Ravindra Ithape of Jankalyan Mitra Mandal in Nerul said, "We will have to cancel. At best we can tie the curd pot at a height of six feet and make a child break the pot only to keep tradition."
Manohar Madhvi of Karan Mitra Mandal and Vijay Chowgule of Sunil Chowgule Sports Association in Airoli said their prize money will now be used for Covid relief.
Navi Mumbai police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said, "As per the government guidelines for covid pandemic, no religious congregation is allowed. As of now, we have not taken any (official) decision on dahi handi."
(Inputs by Bella Jaisinghani)
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