Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Kalyan-Dombivli Dahi Handi Celebrations Feature Political Cash Prizes
Dahi Handi is a festival where teams build human pyramids to break a hanging pot.
In Kalyan-Dombivli, many political leaders helped organise celebrations.
The events took place on September 5, 2026.
Some teams could win very large cash prizes.
The biggest announced prize was ₹25 lakh.
Other prizes included ₹21 lakh and ₹11,11,111.
People also enjoyed music and cultural programmes.
The celebrations were both traditional festivals and opportunities for leaders to meet the public.
Political leaders and groups organised large Dahi Handi events across Kalyan-Dombivli on September 5, 2026.
The Matoshree Gunjai Foundation announced the largest prize, worth ₹25 lakh, in Kalyan East.
The Dr Shrikant Shinde Foundation offered ₹21 lakh, while another mandal announced ₹11,11,111.
Govinda teams competed by forming human pyramids, with prizes linked to the number of tiers completed.
Events combined traditional celebrations, music and cultural programmes with political outreach and public engagement.
- Who
- Political leaders, political groups, local organisers and Govinda teams participated.
- What
- Large Dahi Handi celebrations were held, with cash prizes awarded for successful human pyramids.
- When
- September 5, 2026.
- Where
- Across Kalyan-Dombivli, including Kalyan East, Kalyan West, Dombivli and Dombivli West.
- Why
- The events celebrated Indian cultural traditions, promoted messages including a drug-free society, and served as occasions for public engagement.
- Largest prize
- ₹25 lakh, organised by Mahesh Gaikwad through the Matoshree Gunjai Foundation in Kalyan East
- Second-largest prize
- ₹21 lakh, organised through Nilesh Shinde by the Dr Shrikant Shinde Foundation
- Additional prize
- ₹11,11,111, announced by the Namo Gauri Vinayak Dahi Handi Mandal
- Main Dombivli event
- Held at Baji Prabhu Chowk in the presence of BJP state president Ravindra Chavan
- Competition format
- Govinda teams formed human pyramids, with prizes based on the number of tiers completed
- Public message
- A Dombivli West event promoted the message of a drug-free India
- Political participation
- BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde) and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders organised or attended events