Mumbai Dahi Handi events: BMC keeps 100-plus beds on standby

Govinda troupes in bright jerseys travelled through Mumbai in open trucks and tempos from early Saturday, heading for Dahi Handi venues in Lalbaug, Dadar, Andheri, Mulund and Bhandup.

Human pyramids, some rising to 10 tiers, gathered beneath curd-filled clay pots hung several metres above streets, housing societies and open grounds. Participants had practised for months, and events also drew crowds in Worli, Parel, Jogeshwari, Thane and Navi Mumbai.

The BMC said it had kept more than 100 beds and emergency medical teams ready for injured govindas. The arrangements covered 16 civic-run suburban hospitals, as well as Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital in Sion, KEM Hospital in Parel and Nair Hospital in Mumbai Central.

Police increased security deployment at celebration venues. Organisers and participants also received a Dahi Handi safety checklist ahead of the celebrations.