05 September,2026 09:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde clicks a selfie with the crowd at the Dahi Handi event in Thane. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The traditional Dahi Handi at Tembhi Naka in Thane was held on Saturday, with govinda teams gathering at the venue before heading to other celebrations across the city. The event is associated with the late Dharmaveer Anand Dighe and has been a part of Thane's Dahi Handi celebrations for years.
Welcoming the govinda teams that arrived to offer a ceremonial salute at the Dahi Handi, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stressed that unity and safety among the govindas were more important than the height of the human pyramids.
"Break the handi, but protect lives," Shinde said, making an emotional appeal to govindas to celebrate the festival while prioritising each other's safety.
Shinde was speaking while extending his greetings to govinda teams at the Dahi Handi celebration at Tembhi Naka. He said the Dahi Handi at Tembhi Naka was not merely a competition, but a symbol of the tradition nurtured by Dharmaveer Anand Dighe and an important part of Thane's cultural identity.
Govinda teams traditionally offer a ceremonial salute at the Tembhi Naka Dahi Handi before proceeding to other Dahi Handi celebrations, giving the event a special significance in Thane, he said.
"Govinda is a festival of unity. The human pyramid is built through the collective efforts of the govinda at the bottom, those above him and all the other levels. Therefore, teamwork and unity among govindas are important," Shinde said.
Describing Thane as the "Pandhari of Govindas", Shinde said the responsibility of carrying forward the festival tradition preserved by Dharmaveer Anand Dighe and Balasaheb Thackeray rests with the present generation.
He said the enthusiasm surrounding Thane's Dahi Handi celebrations had now spread across Maharashtra, with the festival being celebrated with great fervour in different parts of the state.
Shinde said the government had taken several important decisions to give the govinda festival a broader platform. Granting govinda the status of an adventure sport, declaring a public holiday and providing insurance cover to govindas were among the measures that had given institutional support to the traditional sport.
He also said the âPro Govinda' initiative had helped give govinda a new identity in the field of sports.
Shinde particularly highlighted the need for safety during the celebrations.
"Your parents are waiting for you at home. Therefore, while celebrating the Dahi Handi with enthusiasm, each one of you must ensure that your fellow govinda does not get injured," he appealed.
He said Dahi Handi was not a life-threatening competition, but a festival to preserve culture and tradition. Along with enthusiasm, discipline, restraint and concern for fellow govindas were essential, he said.
The message from his speech was that the height of the human pyramid was less important than ensuring that every govinda remained safe while building it.
Recalling the period when restrictions had been imposed on festivals while he was Chief Minister, Shinde said there had been a stand that the celebrations should resume. Since then, the govinda festival had once again been celebrated with great enthusiasm, he said, adding that large numbers of govinda teams from Thane and various parts of the state were now participating in the celebrations.
The Tembhi Naka Mitra Mandal had also arranged food for the govinda teams, and Shinde urged all participating teams to make use of the facility. He extended his wishes to govinda teams across the state, emphasising enthusiasm, tradition, unity and safety.
During the event, Mahesh Kadam, Thane city organiser of the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction, formally joined the Shiv Sena.
Actors Govinda, Siddharth Jadhav and Dattu More were among the artistes who attended the govinda festival as chief guests.
MP Naresh Mhaske, Thane city chief Hemant Pawar, Mayor Sharmila Pimpolkar, Thane district women's organiser Meenakshi Shinde, spokespersons Rahul Londhe and Nikhil Budjude, Swanand Pawar, Jackie Bhoir, and several senior Shiv Sena office-bearers and workers were also present.
