the Dahi Handi festival is being celebrated across the country, and there’s a lot of excitement among the Govindas (participants). This festival happens every year, the day after Shri Krishna Janmashtami. In Maharashtra, the youth are especially enthusiastic about Dahi Handi, and this excitement grows even more because of the huge cash prizes offered. This year, the biggest prize is ₹25 lakh, which is being offered by the Sanskruti Yuva Pratishthan in Thane. Besides this, there are many other places in Mumbai where different groups and political parties have announced cash prizes worth lakhs of rupees.
Rain of Money on Govindas
In the Dahi Handi competition in Mumbai, the Sanskruti Yuva Pratishthan in Thane has announced the biggest prize of ₹25 lakh. This prize will be given to the Govinda team that sets a world record. Additionally, the team that forms the first 9-level human pyramid will receive ₹11 lakh. At the Dahi Handi organized by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Thane’s Tembhi Naka, there will also be a lot of prizes for the Govindas. State Industries Minister Uday Samant announced that the winning team will get ₹25 lakh, the second-place team ₹15 lakh, the third-place team ₹10 lakh, and the fourth-place team ₹5 lakh. The other twelve participating teams will each receive ₹1 lakh along with other prizes sponsored by the organizers.
Total Prizes Worth ₹51 Lakh for Dahi Handi Teams
Former Shiv Sena MLC Ravindra Phatak, known for hosting one of the grandest Dahi Handi events in the city, mentioned that they have already received registrations from 150 Govinda teams from Thane and Mumbai. They expect several celebrities to grace the event, making it even more special with attractive prizes. Shivaji Patil of the Swami Pratishthan, who is also associated with the BJP, announced that prizes ranging from ₹11 lakh to ₹21 lakh have been announced for Dahi Handi, with a total of more than ₹51 lakh in rewards. The MNS (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena) has also announced that they will give ₹11 lakh to the Govinda teams that form nine-level pyramids, and all-female Govinda teams will also receive prizes.
Dahi Handi: More Than Just a Festival
In Maharashtra, Dahi Handi has evolved from just a festival into a competitive sport. Teams of Govindas compete against each other, and even politicians are getting involved in this competition. This festival is part of the Janmashtami celebrations, where “Govindas” move around the city, trying to break the Dahi Handi (clay pot filled with yogurt) to win big prizes. The Dahi Handi festival has now become another point of contention between the two factions of Shiv Sena. Even Raj Thackeray’s MNS has added to the excitement of this competition. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is also a new player in the state’s “Dahi Handi” politics.
Government Insurance for Govindas
The importance of Govindas in the Dahi Handi competitions in Maharashtra can be seen in the government’s decision to provide insurance coverage of ₹10 lakh to participants. If any Govinda loses their life, their family will receive ₹10 lakh. In case of severe injuries, the government will provide ₹7 lakh, and ₹5 lakh in case of a fracture. This encourages Govindas to participate in these competitions enthusiastically, even though it sometimes puts their lives at risk.
Dahi Handi: A Chance to Attract Youth During Election Year
This year, Maharashtra will hold assembly elections, and political parties are very excited about the Dahi Handi festival. It seems that they see this festival as an opportunity to increase their presence in their strongholds during Janmashtami. In Mumbai, Shiv Sena, Congress, BJP, and other political parties have organized Dahi Handi events at their own levels. There is a race among them to offer the most prizes. A political observer in Maharashtra commented, “Thane has gained significant dominance on the political stage, and obviously, no leader or party, whether in power or in opposition, wants to miss this opportunity. That’s why we’re seeing so many Dahi Handi events this time.”