E-Paper
Pune man dies of heart attack after Dahi Handi celebration
Till now, three 'Govindas', one each in Palghar district, Airoli in Navi Mumbai and Pune, died in Dahi Handi related incidents.
A 26-year-old man died in Kasba Peth after suffering a heart attack while returning home after Dahi Handi celebrations on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Sagar Pingale, a resident of Kasba Peth. After celebrating Dahi handi at Shri Krushn Mandal, he was on his way home on a two wheeler with his friends. He was riding pillion and suddenly went unconscious, following which he fell down near the Krishna Mandal in Kasba Peth. Though he was immediately taken to a hospital, doctors declared him dead on arrival. The incident took place around 10pm on Tuesday.
Till now, three 'Govindas' (worshippers of Lord Ganesh), one each in Palghar district, Airoli in Navi Mumbai and Pune, died in Dahi Handi related incidents. Over 117 others were also injured at different places in Maharashtra while forming human pyramids as part of the festival that was celebrated yesterday.
In Palghar, the 21-year-old 'Govinda' died after he suffered an epileptic attack during the celebrations, while in Airoli, the 34-year-old victim died because of an electric shock.
Across Maharashtra, different ‘Govindas’ compete to form human pyramids and break the ‘Handi’ (pot) of curd and buttermilk tied high above the ground. The festival marks the birth of Lord Krishna and was celebrated enthusiastically across the state. Earlier this month, the state government had assured the Bombay High Court that it would make sure that children below 14 years of age would not participate in the formation of Dahi Handi pyramids. However, the court had declined to impose any restriction on the height of human pyramid formations.
