Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Dahi Handi Celebrations Leave Two Dead, Dozens Injured
Dahi Handi is a festival where teams called Govindas build human pyramids to break a hanging clay pot.
It is part of celebrations for the birth of Lord Krishna.
On September 5, two people died in separate accidents connected to celebrations in Maharashtra.
Seven-year-old Rudra Kadam died in Mumbai after a brick column fell on him.
In Pune, Salma Salauddin Pathan died when a temporary iron frame used for loudspeakers collapsed.
Many Govindas were also hurt while forming human pyramids.
Reports first counted about 22 injured people in Mumbai, but later hospital information counted 32.
By the later count, 28 had gone home and four were still receiving treatment.
Safety groups asked organisers to keep medical help ready and require safety belts for some pyramid participants.
Two people died in separate Dahi Handi-related incidents in Mumbai and Pune, including seven-year-old Rudra Kadam.
Rudra died after a brick column collapsed during a local celebration at Ekta Welfare Society in Malvani, Mumbai.
Salma Salauddin Pathan died in Pune after a temporary iron frame supporting loudspeakers collapsed on her.
Mumbai hospital figures rose from 22 preliminary injuries by noon to 32 by 3 pm; 28 were discharged and four remained under treatment.
Ten Govindas were hospitalized in Thane, while officials and safety groups urged stronger medical preparations and safety measures.
- Who
- Dahi Handi participants, organisers and spectators; those killed were seven-year-old Rudra Kadam in Mumbai and Salma Salauddin Pathan in Pune.
- What
- Dahi Handi celebrations were linked to two deaths and injuries to at least 32 Govindas in Mumbai and 10 in Thane.
- When
- September 5, 2026, with the Mumbai injury count reported first by noon and later by 3 pm; Pathan died after a Friday-night event.
- Where
- Mumbai, including Chikuwadi in Malvani; Old Sangavi in Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune; and neighbouring Thane, Maharashtra.
- Why
- Participants were forming human pyramids to break suspended handis, while the deaths resulted from separate collapses of a brick column and a temporary iron frame.
Festival Tradition and Participation
Safety and Regulation
How celebrations should proceed
Festival Tradition and Participation
Organisers and participants continued Dahi Handi celebrations with enthusiasm, and the festival was described as reflecting unity, tradition and religious observance.
Safety and Regulation
Safety advocates said the life of every Govinda should take priority and called for safety belts, emergency readiness and adequate medical assistance.
Handling event-related structures
Festival Tradition and Participation
Dahi Handi events used human pyramids and, in Pune, a temporary iron frame to support loudspeakers as part of the celebrations.
Safety and Regulation
The deaths and injuries highlighted risks from temporary structures and pyramid formations; police examined the Pune frame collapse and registered an accidental death report.
Reported injury scale
Festival Tradition and Participation
The first Mumbai account reported nearly 22 injuries by noon and no serious injuries at that point, with treated participants discharged.
Safety and Regulation
Later hospital information reported 32 injured Govindas in Mumbai, including four still under treatment, showing that the earlier figure was not the final reported count.
- Deaths
- Two people died in separate Dahi Handi-related incidents in Maharashtra.
- Mumbai death
- Rudra Kadam, 7, died after a brick column collapsed on him at Ekta Welfare Society in Chikuwadi, Malvani.
- Pune death
- Salma Salauddin Pathan died after a temporary iron structure supporting loudspeakers collapsed in Old Sangavi, Pimpri Chinchwad.
- Mumbai injuries
- Hospital information counted 32 injured Govindas by 3 pm; 28 were discharged and four remained under treatment.
- Earlier Mumbai count
- A preliminary report based on information available by noon recorded 22 injured Govindas, with no serious injuries reported at that time.
- Thane injuries
- Ten Govindas were admitted to hospitals, including patients with back, neck and head injuries, fractures and other trauma.
- Medical preparation
- The BMC said more than 100 beds were ready across designated civic hospitals, with staff working in three shifts.
- Safety appeal
- HELP Foundation urged mandatory safety belts for upper pyramid tiers and readily available medical and emergency assistance.
