No Dahi Handi celebrations on Janmashtami this year in Maharashtra. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has appealed to mandals to give priority to the health of citizens. He has asked them to keep festivities aside for some time on humanitarian grounds.
The Mandals had earlier requested the Maharashtra government to allow them to celebrate Dahi Handi. They had added that it will be held on a small scale with strict adherence to Covid protocol. But now the mandals have positively responded to the appeal. They have decided to undertake social and health-related activities instead of Dahi Handi.
Dahi Handi ritual is part of the Janmashtami festival in Maharashtra. Youngsters form a human pyramid to reach an earthen pot suspended in mid-air, and break it. Last year too it was cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic.
Not only Dahi Handi government has issued guidelines for Ganeshotsav too. Due to the second wave of covid, Maharashtra will witness muted celebrations for Ganeshotsav this year too. The state government has issued a number of guidelines.
Guidelines issued by government are:
- The height of Ganesh idols will be capped at four feet for public mandals
- Two feet for celebrations at home
- No crowding for ‘aarti’ will be allowed
- The government has not given a nod for processions
- The 10-day long Ganpati Festival will begin on September 10.
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