9-TIER HANDI breaks into Guinness Records

The popular spectacle of dahi handi reached a crescendo around 10pm on Friday with a mandal from Jogeshwari making an entry into the Guinness World Records for its feat. Living up to their reputation, the boys from Jai Jawan Govinda Pathak created history by forming a human pyramid that was 43.79 ft tall, rivalling the height of a five-storey building.      Pratap Sarnaik's Sanskruti event had invited representatives from the Guinness World Records as well as the Limca Book of Records to take formal cognizance of the nine-tier challenge. "We have broken a record held by Spain since the past 31 years. It is wonderful that Jai Jawan did this at our venue," exulted his son Vihang. "Earlier in the day, the Shivsai mandal from Borivli also managed nine tiers and the Limca Book will certify it next month."      Jai Jawan kept up its record of nine tiers at Jitendra Awhad's Sangharsh dahi handi although this feat was not recorded by Guinness. "In fact they had formed the tenth layer as well but fell down before completing the final salute. We awarded them Rs 15 lakh cash on the spot," Awhad said. Had they achieved that breakthrough, a ready bonus of Rs 25 lakh would have been theirs.      Celebrity appearances energized crowds across the main venues. Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan and Esha Deol performed at Sachin Ahir's Sankalp handi in Worli. "Their interactive stunts and dances saw the govindas having the time of their lives," said Ahir's wife Sangeeta. Meanwhile, Jeetendra, Nana Patekar and Rakhi Sawant made an appearance at Ram Kadam's Ghatkopar event that offered a reward of Rs 40 lakh. Marathi actors and singers such as Mangesh Desai, Bhargavi Chirmule and Bela Shende arrived in Thane.      This year, the Shiv Sena, whose  leaders control several prominent handis, utilized the festival to mobilize its cadre. The illness of party supremo Balasaheb Thackeray as well as next in command Uddhav Thackeray has come a double blow to the party-workers' morale, and leaders made sure to send out a feelgood message to assure karyakartas that all was well.      Social messages were factored in into the celebrations as well. Ram Kadam concentrated on female foeticide while in Dadar, the Sena and MNS focused on the environment and the Marathi language.      Thane municipal commissioner R A Rajeev's diktat seeking proper passage for road traffic seemed to be difficult to implement as a sea of humanity converged in the city, especially at Panchpakhadi. The huge inflow from Mumbai saw traffic congestions on the eight-lane Eastern Express Highway on Friday. The entire road from Godrej Gates at Vikhroli to Mulund was littered with plastic glasses, bags and thermocol plates.  THE WINNERS      Pratap Sarnaik's Sanskruti handi in Thane | The Jai Jawan Govinda Pathak from Jogeshwari enters the Guinness World Records for making a human pyramid 43.79 ft tall. Shivsai Mandal of Borivli manages nine tiers; is given official recognition by Limca Book of Records      Jitendra Awhad's Sangharsh, Thane | A prize amount of Rs 15 lakh is awarded to Jai Jawan, which has retained its record of nine tiers. The boys missed the 10th tier by a whisker, falling before the final salute      Sachin and Sangeeta Ahir's Sankalp, Worli | The Bal Utsahi Mandal from Jogeshwari is allowed to break the handi at six tiers, owing to the 10pm deadline      Rajan Vichare's handi, Thane | Jari Mari Mandal from Mangalwadi, Girgaum, Akhil Malpa Dongri Mitra Mandal and Thane Gaurishankar Siddhivinayak Mandal bag top honours. Sankalp team from Tilak Nagar, Thane, wins women's handi RISE, FALL & RISE: 1 Govindas break the coveted handi at Dadar 2 Readying to build the human pyramid at the Dadar venue 3 Curious onlookers watch a pyramid formation at Haji Kasam Chawal, Parel 4 A nine-tier pyramid in Thane