Swine flu to impact Janmashtami celebrations

With Maharashtra accounting for bulk of swine flu deaths and infections, the popular Dahi Handi ritual that draws huge crowds during the Janmashtami celebrations has become a casualty, as Shiv Sena appealed for low-key festivities this Friday.

Shiv Sena Executive president Uddhav Thackeray appealed to people to celebrate Janmashtami at home and desist from crowding the streets in the wake of the spread of the deadly H1N1 virus. Dahi Handi is only next in popularity to the Ganesha festival.

Uddhav said health has to be the first priority and people should restrain from indulging in big celebrations to avoid crowds, Sena spokesperson Neelam Ghore said in Mumbai.

NCP legislator Jeetendra Awhad, who organises the popular Dahi Handi in neighbouring Thane, said he had spoken to Uddhav and had agreed there should be no crowds and revelry.

The impact of swine flu on festivities also had an echo in the Supreme Court. A PIL was filed seeking a ban on celebrating Ganesh Utsav and Dahi Handi festivals in Maharashtra in view of the spread of swine flu. The Ganesh festivities commence on August 23

However, the apex court refused to grant an early hearing on the petition filed by Advocate Dilip Anna Saheb Taur.

With the long festival season round the corner, the spread of swine flu has become a real dampener, especially in Maharashtra and Gujarat, according to festival organisers.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi also appealed to people to avoid "large congregations".

The Dahi Handi, which draws a sea of humanity, is a game where human pyramids are formed to reach a yoghurt-filled earthen pot strung high re-enacting an episode from the childhood of Lord Krishna, whose birth anniversary is celebrated on Janmashtami.