The craze of achieving “greater heights” in the dahi handi festival has been rising among the city govinda pathaks every year. This year too, govindas aim to reach the dizzying height of ten tiers to break the handi during the festival.
In the dahi handi festival, which falls on August 29 this year, govindas break a clay potS filled with curd positioned at a height, which they reach by forming a human pyramid. In the recent years, hefty rewards have had been doled out by politicians to pathaks, which break the handis. This has led to a stiff competition among various govinda mandals that are trying to scale greater heights every year, to make good money.
This year too, Sangharsh Pratishthan at Thane has already announced prize money of `25 lakh for the govinda pathaks that are set to form a ten-tier human pyramid. If formed, it will create a new record, as the earlier attempts were limited to nine tiers. Another famous dahi handi organiser from Thane — Sanskruti Yuva Pratishthan — has also declared huge prize money for the govindas.
Govinda mandals across the city are making efforts to reach the height of ten tiers. They have been practicing intensely since the last few months to achieve this remarkable feat. Three Mandals — Jai Jawan (Jogeshwari), Shiv Sai (Borivali) and Mazgaon Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal — are said to be the frontrunners for achieving the record of forming a ten-tier human pyramid during this year’s dahi handi festival.
The Jai Jawan Mandal, popularly known as “Upnagaracha Raja”, has so far reached nine-tiers four times. Last year, it had failed in its attempt to form ten tiers failed by a whisker. The Shiv Sai and Mazgaon Ganeshotsav Mandal have both reached nine-tiers twice so far.
As many as 22 pathaks in Mumbai and Thane had gone up to eight tiers during last year’s dahi handi festival.
Sandeep Dhavale, coach of the Jai Jawan Govinda Pathak, said, “After last year’s failed attempt, we are now ready to achieve the 10-tier height. Our 550-member troupe has been training really hard for this since the last few months.”
However, the festival also sees several injuries, at times even casualties, particularly among children, who climb the top of the human pyramid. Last year, one person died and as many as 225 were injured, while in 2011, 205 govindas were injured, while two died during the celebrations.
Arun Patil from the Mazgaon Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal said, “Even though we are aiming for ten tiers, safety is our prime concern. We will not put lives of the govindas at stake, just for the sake of creating a record.”
However, experts have a word of caution for the govindas. Dr Sandhya Kamat, dean of KEM Hospital, said, “Amidst all these celebrations, one should not forget that life is more important than anything else. In the revelries, people get carried away and try to go beyond their capability. Commercialisation has also brought in competition, which is proving to be life threatening.”