'Govinda ala re ala' made headlines in Maharashtra
All organisers had set different goals and special messages for this festival, which affect Mumbaikars on a daily basis like traditional values in young generation, environmental awareness, saying no to plastic, health issues and so on.
LAST YEAR due to the fear of swine flu, the people of Maharashtra failed to celebrate their favourite Dahi Handi with full spirit, a popular sport associated with Janamastami, but this time they were on a high with several places offering a whopping prize money of Rs 25 Lakh. This festival is known to pull in crowds, organisers and Govinda groups, above all it is time to convey social messages to the masses.
In and around Mumbai, this times the festival was celebrated with great religious fervour and enthusiasm with Govinda teams commuting across the city to secure huge prize money by breaking ‘matkas’(earthen pots). Enthusiastic young men and women called Govindas form a human pyramid by standing on top of one another making eight to ten tiers and try to break the ‘Dahi Handis’ containing the mixture of milk, dry fruits and ghee which is hanged at a considerable height of around 20 to 30 feet high in the air with the help of a rope.
Organisers including politicians, social groups and youth development associations had worked for past two to three months for Govindas, who were keeping themselves fit and healthy, practicing to make pyramids without any special trainers. It also proved a good time for politicians to grab the headlines and they are trying to outdo each other by riding crores of rupees on the Govindas.
Sanskruti Yuva Pratishthan's Vihang Dahi Kala Utsav, organised by Shiv Sena legislator Pratap Sarnaik, had announced cash prize of Rs 25 lakh for 20 layer pyramids, for nine layer pyramid it will be 11 lakh, and a 500 gm silver memento and a trophy to be given to those who form an eight-layer pyramid. There are similar prizes for other groups too.
The Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) Jitendra Awhad and Congress leader Ravi Phatak have announced a prize money of Rs 25 lakh for a 10-layer pyramid, Rs 15 lakh was to be awarded for a nine-layer pyramid and so on.
Beating all the organisers in terms of money was Ram Kadam, a legislator of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) who had announced a whopping Rs 31 lakh for Govinda groups who make a nine-layer pyramid.
They have to face water cannons and colours from all directions thrown by the bystanders, who create obstacles, while the Govindas work on their way to Dahi Handi. Adding colour to the glittering festive mood are Bollywood stars, who go to such venues and egg the Govindas on and motivate them to break the mud pots. 'Govinda ala re ala’ chants rant the air even as the Govindas form pyramids and strategies to reach their final goal. There are more than 250 registered dahi handi mandals in the city and adjoining areas. It is the state tradition that is held as the part of Janamasthmi celebrations to rejoice the birth of Lord Krishna.
Like always, this time the organisers had set different goals and special messages for this festival, which affect Mumbaikars on a daily basis like traditional values in young generation, environmental awareness, saying no to plastic, health issues, cleanness drive, unity in diversity, Green Mumbai etc.
Like always, this time the organisers had set different goals and special messages for this festival, which affect Mumbaikars on a daily basis like traditional values in young generation, environmental awareness, saying no to plastic, health issues, cleanness drive, unity in diversity, Green Mumbai etc.
Organisers including politicians, social groups and youth development associations had worked for past two to three months for Govindas, who were keeping themselves fit and healthy, practicing to make pyramids without any special trainers. It also proved a good time for politicians to grab the headlines and they are trying to outdo each other by riding crores of rupees on the Govindas.
Sanskruti Yuva Pratishthan's Vihang Dahi Kala Utsav, organised by Shiv Sena legislator Pratap Sarnaik, had announced cash prize of Rs 25 lakh for 20 layer pyramids, for nine layer pyramid it will be 11 lakh, and a 500 gm silver memento and a trophy to be given to those who form an eight-layer pyramid. There are similar prizes for other groups too.
The Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) Jitendra Awhad and Congress leader Ravi Phatak have announced a prize money of Rs 25 lakh for a 10-layer pyramid, Rs 15 lakh was to be awarded for a nine-layer pyramid and so on.
Beating all the organisers in terms of money was Ram Kadam, a legislator of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) who had announced a whopping Rs 31 lakh for Govinda groups who make a nine-layer pyramid.
Login
 Login through Social ID
|
