Thirty-eight Govindas were injured while forming human pyramids during Dahi Handi celebrations in Thane and the Ghodbunder area on Saturday, according to a report by Loksatta. The injured participants were admitted to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa and the Thane District Government Hospital for treatment.
The incidents occurred as Govinda teams attempted to build increasingly tall human pyramids at Dahi Handi events organised across the city. The celebrations, which featured prize money running into lakhs of rupees, drew teams from Thane, Mumbai and nearby areas.
According to the report, 22 injured Govindas were admitted to the municipal-run Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa. Their injuries included trauma to the head, neck, back, chest, shoulders, arms, legs and knees. The report identified injuries suffered by several participants, including head and neck injuries, shoulder damage, knee injuries and other bodily trauma sustained after the human pyramids collapsed.
Sixteen other Govindas were admitted to the Thane District Government Hospital. Their reported injuries included damage to the back, hands, legs, knees, chest and shoulders. Some participants were described as having minor injuries, while others required treatment for injuries caused during the falls.
Dahi Handi is observed in Thane with large public gatherings and competitions involving teams that attempt to break suspended earthen pots by forming human pyramids. The festival has expanded in scale in the city over the past several years, with organisers offering substantial prize money and attracting teams from Mumbai and surrounding urban areas.
The report said that the Thane-based Govinda teams known as Thanecha Raja and Ramnagarcha Raja formed nine-tier human pyramids. Teams from Mumbai also attempted nine-tier formations, indicating the competitive emphasis on building taller structures during the celebrations.
The injuries were reported after participants fell while constructing the pyramids. All 38 injured Govindas named in the report were taken to the two government hospitals for medical care. The report did not provide further information on the severity of their conditions or their discharge status.
