Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Pune DJ-Free Dahi Handi Celebration Draws Massive Crowd
A large Dahi Handi celebration was held in Pune without loud DJ music.
Instead, people enjoyed traditional drums, devotional songs and cultural performances.
Thirty-one Ganesh mandals joined the event.
Govindas formed human pyramids to break a hanging clay pot called a handi.
The Shivtej Govinda Troop made a seven-level pyramid and won Rs 1.11 lakh.
Women performed lezim, and artists demonstrated Maharashtra’s traditional martial arts.
Many people said the celebration was still exciting without DJs.
Organisers said the event showed that festivals can be lively while preserving local traditions.
The Punit Balan Group’s DJ-free Dahi Handi event at Lal Mahal Chowk brought together 31 Ganesh mandals.
Shivtej Govinda Troop broke the handi with a seven-tier human pyramid and won Rs 1.11 lakh.
Traditional dhol-tasha, halgi, lezim, devotional music and Mardani Khel performances replaced loud DJ music.
The celebration attracted enthusiastic Govindas and spectators despite the absence of high-volume DJs.
Organisers said more than 200 Ganeshotsav groups have chosen to avoid DJs during the festival season.
- Who
- The Punit Balan Group, 31 Ganesh mandals, Govinda teams and spectators participated; Shivtej Govinda Troop won the competition.
- What
- A DJ-free Dahi Handi celebration featuring a seven-tier human pyramid, traditional music and cultural performances was held.
- When
- The articles identify the event as taking place during the festival season but do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- Lal Mahal Chowk in Pune, Maharashtra.
- Why
- The organisers aimed to celebrate Dahi Handi and Ganeshotsav through Maharashtra’s traditional culture without loud DJ music.
- Organizer
- Punit Balan Group
- Participants
- 31 Ganesh mandals
- Winning team
- Shivtej Govinda Troop
- Human pyramid
- Seven tiers
- Prize
- Rs 1.11 lakh
- Music format
- Traditional instruments and devotional performances instead of DJ music
- Other festival groups
- More than 200 Ganeshotsav groups reportedly decided to avoid DJs