Maharashtra celebrates Dahi Handi with pomp and grandeur after pandemic-gap

Dahi Handi — a festival celebrated with much fervour on Janmashtami, returned to Maharashtra on Friday after a pandemic-induced gap of two years. Here are pictures of the celebrations. Students form a human pyramid to break the 'dahi handi' during 'Janmashtami festival celebrations at Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) College, in Mumbai on Wednesday. (Express photo by Amit Chakravarty)

MNS organised a Dahi Handi event at the Bhagwati playground in Naupada on Friday to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami. (Express Photo by Deepak Joshi)

Kokan Nagar Govinda Group form their human pyramid during the event on Friday. (Express Photo by Deepak Joshi)

While many politicians organised Dahi Handi events, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray attended a series of events organised in Mumbai and Thane. (Express photo by Narendra vaskar)

While addressing the gathering before the event, CM Eknath Shinde said, “You are breaking a Dahi Handi now. We broke a very tough Dahi Handi one-and-a-half months ago. It was very difficult, high, and we had to put up 50 strong layers but we succeeded.” (Express photo by Narendra vaskar)

Adding to the happiness and excitement of the mandals this year, the new government of the rebel Shiv Sena faction and the BJP has come out in support of them, with several leaders of the ruling parties organising Dahi Handi events in Mumbai and Thane. (Express photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Youngsters participate in the Dahi Handi event. Maharashtra's Govinda mandals said they are very excited for this year and have prepared for a new world record of raising a human pyramid to bust the earthen pot. (Express Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

The oldest tradition of breaking the dahi handi at Panvel city on the occasion of Janmashtami festival in Navi Mumbai. (Express photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Jai Jawan Govinda Group and Kokan Nagar Govinda Group put up nine layers at the Dahi Handi. In the picture, the public can be seen cheering for Jai Jawan Govinda group. (Express Photo by Deepak Joshi)

Devotee breaks a dahi-handi (curd-pot) suspended in the air during celebrations for the 'Janmashtami' festival. Express Photo By Ganesh Shirsekar 19/08/2022

The organisers said they have received an overwhelming response this year, which even surpassed the pre-pandemic year of 2019. A devotee breaks a Dahi Handi and enjoys the sandalwood water from the pot during Janmashtami celebrations. (Express Photo By Ganesh Shirsekar)