38 Govindas Injured in Thane Dahi Handi Festival

A total of 38 'Govindas' were admitted to hospitals in Thane after suffering injuries during the Dahi Handi festival on September 5, 2026. The injuries occurred while participants were forming human pyramids to break the dahi handi, a traditional event in the festival.

According to the Thane Municipal Corporation's Disaster Management Cell, 22 injured participants were rushed to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa, while 16 others received treatment at the District Government Hospital. The injuries ranged from spinal and head trauma to limb contusions, with several victims sustaining serious head injuries.

At the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa, medical personnel treated patients with acute fall-related injuries. Some of the patients who suffered serious head injuries included 65-year-old Nandkishore Shelar, 30-year-old Sanjit Verma, 58-year-old Riyansh Sheikh, and 16-year-old Ansh Mishra. Other patients, such as Jatin Patil, suffered dual back and neck injuries, while Ranjit Keshari and Suresh Ghadge were treated for back trauma.

Upper extremity and joint injuries formed the majority of remaining cases at the Kalwa facility. Patients admitted with shoulder trauma included Rupesh Pardhi, Deepak Pawar, Pravin Kanojia, Ankush More, Manish Salvi, and Akshay Pathare. Hand and leg injuries were reported for Nikhil Yadav, Dinesh Jagtap, Prathamesh Jadhav, Nilesh Yadav, Manish Vajad, Pranav Sangurkar, and Mohammad Kaif.

At the District Government Hospital in Thane, 16 participants were brought in, mostly exhibiting localized orthopedic injuries and minor contusions. The most severe case involved 25-year-old Omkar Shinde, who suffered a fractured right leg. Lower limb injuries were also sustained by Akash Ghadge, Anish Rokade, Nikhil Thakur, Kartik Gavkar, and Sumesh More.

The remaining cases at the District Hospital involved upper body impact and minor trauma. Soham Gosavi, Om Jangam, Samir Satam, and Sahil Rane suffered chest and shoulder injuries. Minor hand and back injuries were treated in Harsh Sharma, Girish Chipkar, Aman Yadav, Ayush Gupte, and Amey Naik, while Umesh Mane was admitted for general medical observation.

Local civic authorities confirmed that emergency response teams and trauma units remained on high alert throughout the evening, with most patients undergoing observation for soft-tissue injuries or outpatient care. The Dahi Handi festival is a significant event in Thane, and the authorities take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the participants.

The festival is a part of the Janmashtami celebrations, which commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna. The Dahi Handi event involves participants forming human pyramids to break the dahi handi, a clay pot filled with curd. The event is popular in Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai and Thane.

In recent years, the Dahi Handi festival has been marred by injuries and accidents. The authorities have taken steps to improve safety measures, including providing proper training to the participants and ensuring that they wear protective gear. However, despite these efforts, injuries still occur, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and safety precautions.

The incident highlights the importance of safety measures during public events. The authorities must ensure that proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents and injuries. The participants must also be aware of the risks involved and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

In conclusion, the Dahi Handi festival is a significant event in Thane, and the authorities must take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the participants. The incident highlights the need for continued vigilance and safety precautions to prevent accidents and injuries.