Goa celebrates Gokulashtami

The birth of Lord Krishna was celebrated with gusto in the state. From late Saturday night to Sunday evening, religious rituals marked Janmashtami all over Goa.
Prayers were offered on Saturday night and dahi-handi, where youths formed human pyramids to break a matka, suspended at a height above the ground, was held on Sunday.
The Panaji Gujarati Yuvak Mandal in association with media partners Times of India, organised a Mega Dahi Handi Bash at Azad Maidan, where in leader of opposition in the Goa Assembly Manohar Parrikar was present as chief guest, while deputy mayor of Panaji Municipal Corporation Yatin Parekh also graced the occasion.The Dahi Handi competition at Azad Maidan was energetic as the first time the Nasik Dhol from Rajkgurunagar took centre stage in Goa, playing some thumping tunes. Members of the Agrawal Samaj also celebrated the occasion at Jeevottam Matt, Porvorim.
In the evening on Sunday, a cultural programme was organised by kids. Later, members of the samaj played dandiya, which was followed by aarti. At Margao, Sidharudh Gymkhana from Savordem won the dahi-handi competition. This in the eighth year that the Sidharudh Gymkhana bagged the competition in Margao.