In Pics: 'Dahi Handi' Celebrated With Nationalistic Flavour In Maharashtra

The Govinda troupes quickly moved onto centre-stage and tried their luck at the 'Dahi Handi', pot of milk, butter and curds, hanging high above the ground, between 30-40 feet.

With the bar on heights of human pyramids relaxed by the Bombay High Court, the celebrations were organised with full gusto in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Palghar, Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur, Nagpur and other major cities.

Groups of revellers -- or Govindas as they are popularly known -- went around various venues singing "Govinda Ala Re, Ala, Zara Matki Sambhal Brij Bala" to the accompaniment of drums and music as huge crowds of excited onlookers welcomed them.

The birth of Lord Krishna was rung in with religious fervour on Tuesday and was followed by colourful 'Dahi Handi' with a distinct national flavour by thousands of Govindas all over Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. (Photos: AFP)

Those successfully breaking the 'Dahi Handi' hanging barely within reach of the precariously balanced human pyramids, were rewarded with grand prizes in cash and kind, besides fame and glory.