Thane Dahi Handi 2026: Eknath Shinde makes emotional safety appeal to govindas at Tembhi Naka

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 Thanersquos Dahi Handi celebrations for yearsWelcoming 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 pyramidsldquoBreak the handi but protect livesrdquo Shinde said making an emotional appeal to govindas to celebrate the festival while prioritising each otherrsquos safetyShinde 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 Thanersquos cultural identityGovinda 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 saidldquoGovinda 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 importantrdquo Shinde saidShinde highlights government measures to promote govinda as a sportDescribing Thane as the ldquoPandhari of Govindasrdquo Shinde said the responsibility of carrying forward the festival tradition preserved by Dharmaveer Anand Dighe and Balasaheb Thackeray rests with the present generationHe said the enthusiasm surrounding Thanersquos Dahi Handi celebrations had now spread across Maharashtra with the festival being celebrated with great fervour in different parts of the stateShinde 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 sportHe also said the lsquoPro Govindarsquo initiative had helped give govinda a new identity in the field of sportsShinde particularly highlighted the need for safety during the celebrationsldquoYour 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 injuredrdquo he appealedShinde stresses safety discipline and tradition during Dahi Handi celebrationsHe said Dahi Handi was not a lifethreatening competition but a festival to preserve culture and tradition Along with enthusiasm discipline restraint and concern for fellow govindas were essential he saidThe message from his speech was that the height of the human pyramid was less important than ensuring that every govinda remained safe while building itRecalling 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 celebrationsThe 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 safetyDuring the event Mahesh Kadam Thane city organiser of the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction formally joined the Shiv SenaActors Govinda Siddharth Jadhav and Dattu More were among the artistes who attended the govinda festival as chief guestsMP Naresh Mhaske Thane city chief Hemant Pawar Mayor Sharmila Pimpolkar Thane district womenrsquos organiser Meenakshi Shinde spokespersons Rahul Londhe and Nikhil Budjude Swanand Pawar Jackie Bhoir and several senior Shiv Sena officebearers and workers were also present