A total of 16 Govindas were injured during Dahi Handi celebrations in Vasai-Virar on September 5, 2026, after human pyramids collapsed at different locations across the city. A 13-year-old boy suffered a serious injury and was admitted to hospital, according to information provided by the Vasai-Virar municipal medical department.
The boy sustained a fracture to the mastoid bone behind the ear and remains hospitalised, the municipal health department said. The other injured participants suffered minor injuries and were given primary treatment. Those whose condition was stable were discharged after treatment.
The injuries occurred as Govinda teams formed human pyramids to offer salutes and break Dahi Handis organised at several locations in Vasai-Virar. According to the report, teams from Vasai-Virar, Palghar, Bhayandar and Thane participated in the celebrations.
The festival drew large crowds and continued to be organised with considerable public enthusiasm across the city. Several Dahi Handi events offered prizes worth lakhs of rupees, with political parties and social organisations among the organisers, according to the report.
At several venues, participants formed pyramids between five and eight tiers high. Some of the structures lost balance and collapsed while the teams were attempting to complete their salutes or reach the suspended earthen pot. The resulting falls led to injuries among participants at different locations.
Dahi Handi celebrations in Vasai-Virar have expanded in scale in recent years. The competitive character of the event has increased since the activity received recognition as an adventure sport, according to the report. The combination of large prize announcements, multiple venues and participation by teams from neighbouring areas has made the festival a prominent public event in the region.
The municipal medical department’s injury count covers Govindas treated during this year’s celebrations. The department said that most of the injured participants were treated and released, while the 13-year-old boy was admitted because of the mastoid fracture. No further medical details about his condition were provided in the report.
The medical department’s update is the latest official information cited on the injuries. The boy’s hospitalisation remains the primary serious case reported from the celebrations, while the remaining injured Govindas were reported to be in stable condition after treatment.
