This year, 25 mandals in Pune will celebrate Dahi Handi with the beats of traditional Dhol Tasha instead of DJs, Festival Head Punit Balan of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganesh Mandal said, as part of efforts to bring back a more cultural and authentic flavour to the festival. Speaking to media on August 15, Balan said, “This year, 25 mandals are coming together to celebrate the dahi handi more traditionally, without DJs. The event will start with the Dhol Tasha troupes.”
#WATCH | Pune, Maharashtra: As 25 mandals come together to celebrate Dahi Handi by replacing DJs with Dhol Tasha beats, Festival Head and Trustee of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganesh Mandal, Punit Balan says, "… This year, 25 mandals are coming together to celebrate the dahi… pic.twitter.com/N2mohaZcE6
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to people on the occasion of Janmashtami, describing it as a sacred festival of faith. In an X post, PM Modi wrote, “Heartfelt Janmashtami greetings to all countrymen. May this sacred festival of faith, joy, and enthusiasm infuse new energy and zeal into your lives. Jai Shri Krishna!”
सभी देशवासियों को जन्माष्टमी की असीम शुभकामनाएं। आस्था, आनंद और उमंग का यह पावन-पर्व आप सभी के जीवन में नई ऊर्जा और नए उत्साह का संचार करे। जय श्रीकृष्ण!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2025
Janmashtami is observed as the day of Bhagwan Krishna’s birth. President Droupadi Murmu also extended warm wishes to Indians in the country and abroad on the eve of the festival. According to a release from the President’s Secretariat, the President said, “On the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, a festival filled with joy and enthusiasm, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all the Indians living in India and abroad.” She added, “The life and teachings of Bhagwan Shri Krishna inspire us towards self-development and self-realisation. Bhagwan Shri Krishna enlightened humanity about the attainment of the ultimate truth by following the path of Dharma. This festival inspires us to adopt eternal values embodied by Yogeshwar Shri Krishna.
जन्माष्टमी की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं!
भगवान श्रीकृष्ण ने सम्पूर्ण मानवता को धर्म के अनुसार कर्तव्य मार्ग पर चलते हुए सभी प्राणियों के हित में लगे रहने का मार्ग दिखाया है। जन्माष्टमी के शुभ अवसर पर सभी यह संकल्प लें कि भगवान श्रीकृष्ण के दिखाये मार्ग का अनुसरण करेंगे तथा समाज और…— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 16, 2025
On this occasion, let us all take a pledge to follow the teachings of Bhagwan Shri Krishna and make our society and nation stronger.” Preparations for Dahi Handi festivities and Janmashtami are underway across the country, including in Maharashtra, where grand Dahi Handi events feature human pyramids formed by devotees to break earthen pots filled with curd, butter and other milk products — symbolising Bhagwan Krishna’s childhood playfulness and his love for butter and curd.
(with inputs from ANI)
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