Thane: This year’s Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai witnessed a historic moment—not from the usual champions, but from a rising team. Jogeshwari’s Konkan Nagar Govinda Pathak stunned crowds by creating a never-before-seen 10-level human pyramid, a feat that left Thane in awe.

On August 16, the Kokan Nagar Govinda team successfully bettered their own record by building a 10-layer human pyramid. The team first made headlines in 2022 when they became the first to construct a 9-layer human pyramid at the Sanskruti Dahi Handi event organized by Minister Pratap Sarnaik.

“We congratulate Konkan Nagar Govinda Pathak for forming 10 tiers; they have made us proud. In 2022, the record of 9-tiers was made here, and I am proud that the record of 10-tiers was also made here,” said Pratap Sarnaik.

Competing Govinda squads had gathered since morning, but it was Konkan Nagar who clinched glory on Saturday afternoon, stacking ten flawless tiers and securing a cash prize of ₹25 lakh.

For years, Jai Jawan Govinda Pathak, Jogeshwari, has also been breaking the records. In 2012, they earned a Guinness World Record for their nine-level tower measuring 43.79 feet. A decade later, in 2022, they scaled a 50-foot pyramid.

Meanwhile, Jai Jawan Govinda Pathak from Jogeshwari, Mumbai, created a historical moment by successfully forming a 10-layer human pyramid (Dahi Handi) at the MNS (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena) Dahi Handi event in Ghatkopar. This feat marks a significant achievement for the group after years of striving to reach this milestone.  

In Navi Mumbai, a 7-tier human pyramid was attempted at Sunil Chaugule Sports Club organized Dahi Handi at Sector 4, opposite to Euro School, Airoli.  

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In a dreadful incident, a 14-year-old Khopata girl suffered suffocation after remaining hanged to the harness at Yuva Star, Raymond Dahi Handi. Harshada Chaudhary, the topper of Khopatacha Raja Pathak, remained hanging in the air after the fall of a 9-tier human pyramid. The organizers claimed that the teenager was rescued immediately, but refused to provide further details. At the same time, another boy sustained a minor leg injury after the fall of the pyramid. Thane civic hospital has reported injuries of 3 Govindas in the special ward arranged for Govinda, but no major incident is registered.

Mira-Bhayandar sees 261 Dahi Handi celebrations

Najmul Hasan Rizvi

Mira-Bhayandar: The spirit of Gokulashtami electrified Mira-Bhayandar as nearly 261 Dahi Handi events were celebrated across the city with Govinda pathaks showcasing grit, teamwork, and festive enthusiasm.

The Jha Foundation’s Gokulashtami celebration drew massive crowds as Govinda Pathaks successfully formed an 8-layer human pyramid, one of the tallest recorded in the city this year. The MNS Marathi Asmita event too captured attention when teams managed to achieve a 7-layer formation, underlining the competitive yet celebratory spirit of the festival. No major injuries reported till the news goes for print.

This year’s celebrations also featured several high-value prize Dahi Handis sponsored by political leaders, community groups, and private organizers, with rewards ranging from cash prizes to trophies. Despite the fierce competition, the festival retained its communal warmth and devotional fervor, with residents of Mira-Bhayandar uniting to mark Lord Krishna’s birth anniversary in grand style.

Events cancelled

The Pratap Foundation, led by Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Vikram Pratap Singh, cancelled its much-anticipated celebration. The decision came after Singh’s brother and event in-charge, Brishen Singh, was hospitalized in a serious condition at Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai. The foundation issued a statement expressing regret over the cancellation, adding that prayers for Brishen Singh’s recovery took precedence over the festivities.