'Dahi Handi', part of the Krishna Janmashtami festivities, was celebrated with extra fervour across Maharashtra on Friday after the COVID-19 pandemic-induced hiatus of two years.
Across the state, troupes of 'govindas' competed with each other to form human pyramids to break earthen pots ('handi') containing buttermilk and curd ('dahi') suspended high in the air.
In Mumbai, where the festival is celebrated on a large scale, at least 111 Dahi Handi participants were injured while forming pyramids.
While most of them were discharged after treatment, 23 participants were admitted to hospitals and their condition was said to be stable, informed a release issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
Thirty persons were treated at the civic-run KEM hospital, followed by 12 at GT Hospital, 11 at Nair hospital and 10 at Rajawadi hospital, among others.
They needed 'fifty tiers', he said, referring to the number of MLAs who were with him.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis was present at Dahi Handi events in Mumbai.
The state government had last month announced that there would be no restrictions on the celebration of religious festivals, including Dahi Handi and Ganesh Chaturthi, this year.
In the last two years, the celebrations were hampered due to the COVID-19-related restrictions.
On Thursday, Shinde had informed the state Legislative Assembly that the government has decided to accord adventure sport status to Dahi Handi.
The adventure sport tag will allow young participants at these events to apply for government jobs under the sports quota.
Participants or their families will also be provided compensation if the participants suffer injuries while forming human pyramids, the chief minister had said.
Government hospitals had been instructed to treat injured govindas free of cost.
