Mild earthquake fails to dampen 'dahi handi' celebrations in Gujarat

An earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale in Patan district of north Gujarat did not dampen the spirit of 'Janmashtami' as enthusiasts went ahead with the dahi handi celebrations with full vigour here and in the adjoining areas.

People in the tremor-affected Banaskantha, Patan, Vadodara Surat and Amreli districts celebrated the festival with gaiety yesterday.

According to sources, the epicentre of the earthquake was Varada village in Banaskantha district .

Reena Parmar, a housewife from Deesa town of Banaskantha district said, "The tremors indicated towards the presence of god on this auspicious occasion."

The three famous temples of Lord Ranchhodji in Dakor (about 60 kms from Vadodara), Dwarkadish in Dwarka town in Jamnagar district and Shamlaji in Banaskantha attracted scores of devotees including foreigners on the occasion.

Many political leaders belonging various parties organised programmes of dahi handi as part of 'Janmasthami' celebrations, where people enjoyed thoroughly despite the mild tremors.