A seven-year-old boy died in Mumbai’s Malvani area on Saturday after a brick pillar supporting a Dahi Handi collapsed during the festival, while 118 Govindas were injured in separate human-pyramid accidents across the city, according to a report by Loksatta.
The fatal incident took place at Chikuwadi in Malvani, where a Dahi Handi had been suspended around seven to eight feet above the ground. As participants climbed the human pyramid to break the pot, the brick pillar holding the rope reportedly collapsed. The pillar fell on Rudra Kadam, who was part of the pyramid.
Municipal employees and police reached the site after receiving information about the accident. Rudra was taken to Malvani General Hospital, where doctors declared him dead, the report said.
The incident occurred as Govinda groups travelled across Mumbai for Dahi Handi celebrations linked to Gopal Kala. Groups moved through neighbourhoods accompanied by drums, dhol-tasha performances and other music, with several events offering large cash prizes.
By 6.30 pm, 118 Govindas had been injured after human pyramids collapsed at different locations, according to information cited in the report. The injured included 83 people from Mumbai city, 21 from the eastern suburbs and 14 from the western suburbs.
Those injured were taken to several hospitals, including KEM Hospital, Nair Hospital, Sion Hospital, Rajawadi Hospital, Hinduja Hospital and Podar Hospital. Five Govindas were admitted, while treatment was continuing for 80 others. Thirty-three people were discharged after receiving treatment, the report said.
The report also said that groups had continued to include children below the age of 14 in human pyramids despite a prohibition on their participation. It stated that several smaller groups attempted to build taller pyramids after observing teams that formed eight- or nine-tier structures.
Dahi Handi celebrations began after midnight on Friday, when Govinda groups broke pots at various locations to mark Krishna Janmashtami. On Saturday, groups continued to travel to prominent events, including celebrations in Thane that attracted teams from Mumbai because of the larger prizes on offer.
The injuries were reported at a limited number of crowded Dahi Handi venues, where groups gathered to compete. The Malvani death and the citywide injury count have placed attention on the safety of temporary festival structures, human-pyramid participation and enforcement of restrictions involving children.
Authorities had not announced further measures in the information available in the report. Hospital treatment and official responses to the Malvani incident were continuing on Saturday evening.
