Genre: News > India

Aug 14, 2009: Defying fears of swine flu, the Mumbai streets wore a festive look as several Govinda mandals began celebrations for Dahi Handi, which coincides with Janmashtami.

 

Several mandals from city and suburbs came to Dadar to break the handi.

 

As a precautionary measure most of the mandals had distributed masks to the Govindas (men who form pyramids to break the handi).

 

Already various political parties, including the Shiv Sena and NCP have decided to have a symbolic dahi handi and called off major festivities on concerns of spread of the H1N1 virus.

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Background

Janmashtami is the celebration of Lord Krishna's birth.

The celebrations take place at midnight. Fasting, bhajans, pujas mark Janmashtami celebrations in India.

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