Mumbai celebrates Janmashtami with 'dahi-haandi' dhoom!

Mumbai, Aug 16 (UNI) Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is being celebrated with religious fervour and pomp and ceremony all over Mumbai and Thane while heavy rains failed to dampen the spirit of 'Govindas' trying their hand at breaking pots in the 'dahi-haandi' ceremony.

The tradition of forming human pyramids to reach the pot containing curd and puffed rice symbolises the childhood pranks of Lord Krishna who, along with other children, is believed to have relished the fresh curd from neighbouring homes even though the pots were kept at higher places, to be out of their reach.

A little before midnight, devotees started pouring in brightly decorated and lit Krishna temples all around the metropolis to participate in the special 'aarti' and to relive the birth of the Lord. Till midnight, devotional songs were sung in anticipation of the holy birth. Special cradles were installed at temples with statue of the 'Balgopal' (the little Krishna) placed in them.

Besides, youth organisations, different mandals, including women mandals, in every nook and corner of the city and suburbs as well as residential colonies geared up to to form human pyramids and perform the traditional ceremony 'dahi haandi'. Young men and women were seen singing 'Govinda ala re' and popular festive numbers from Hindi movies.

The grit and determination of Mumbaikars is evident during this festival, as despite falling and hurting themselves, the 'govindas' rise again unitedly and continue to try and reach their goal of breaking the curd pot.

The 'dahi haandi' celebration is also an occasion for political parties to bring them closer to the society. Politicians associate themselves with the organisations putting up the show and often volunteer to contribute the prize amount. This year it is even more significant as Mumbai and Thane municipal bodies go to polls early next year.

Meanwhile, a team of Spaniards, holding a world record in making a 10-tier tall pyramid, is in Mumbai to enjoy the festivities.

They are a part of the group that established the record of setting a 10-tier pyramid in 1998 at Minyons de Terrassa, Spain.

Forming human pyramids is part of their sport called ''castillars.'' The team members said their technique is much different from that used by the performers in Mumbai. ''Our base is stronger with a lot of people in the lowermost tier. In Mumbai, the motive to form the pyramid is to take the pot. It is good to have a motive to reach the top,'' they said.

Also, Thane NCP legislator Jeetendra Awahad's local organisation 'Sanghrush' has decided to sponsor 10 children from Mumbai and Thane to Spain for training in forming human pyramid. The tour will be held in October-November this year, Mr Awahad said.

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