Kalyan-Dombivli Dahi Handi 2026: Political Groups Shower Govinda Teams With Cash Prizes Upto ₹25 Lakh

Kalyan-Dombivli, September 5, 2026: As Dahi Handi celebrations unfolded across the region, they blended festive joy with political engagement. Political groups and local leaders organized events, announcing substantial cash prizes for the Govinda teams competing to form the tallest human pyramids. In Dombivli, BJP state president Ravindra Chavan presided over the main celebration at Baji Prabhu Chowk.

Notable attendees at this event included district president Nandu Parab, group leader Varun Patil, and corporator Shashikant Kamble. In Dombivli West, corporator Dipesh Mhatre organized a Dahi Handi event with a drug-free India theme, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a drug-free society. Mhatre highlighted Dahi Handi's role in preserving Indian cultural traditions.

Meanwhile, in Kalyan East, Shiv Sena (Shinde) corporator Mahesh Gaikwad through the Matoshree Gunjai Foundation announced a top prize of ₹25 lakh for the Govinda teams. The Dr Shrikant Shinde Foundation organized a Dahi Handi event through Nilesh Shinde, offering a prize of ₹21 lakh. The Namo Gauri Vinayak Dahi Handi Mandal declared a prize amounting to ₹11,11,111.

In Kalyan West, Shiv Sena (UBT) city chief Bala Parab hosted a Dahi Handi event outside the civic headquarters, with cash prizes reaching into the lakhs. Ravi Patil, Shiv Sena (Shinde) city chief, organized a large-scale celebration at Shivaji Chowk, also offering significant financial rewards. The festivities attracted large crowds, featuring music, cultural programs, and enthusiastic participation.

While the events retained their traditional essence, the scale of the celebrations and the presence of political figures transformed Dahi Handi into an essential platform for political outreach and public engagement in Kalyan-Dombivli.