Dahi Handi sports status in Maharashtra

Like Kho-Kho and Kabaddi, Dahi Handi has now been given the status of a game in Maharashtra. It will be considered a type of adventure sport. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde told in the Vidhan Sabha on Thursday that Govindas who join Dahi Handi will be given benefits of government schemes, 5 percent reservation in government jobs. Soon Dahi Handi competition will also be started in the state based on the rules of Pro Kabaddi.
A few days back, CM Shinde had announced to declare the day of the Dahi Handi festival as a public holiday. The government has also issued a government order in this regard. The special thing is that Dahi-Handi can now be played as an adventure sport not only during Gokulashtami or Janmashtami but 365 days a year.
Govindas will now also be given insurance protection. If there is an accident while playing Dahi Handi and any Govinda dies in such a situation, then an amount of Rs 10 lakh will be given to the family members of the concerned Govinda as help. In case of serious injury, an amount of Rs 7 lakh 50 thousand will be given as help. That is, if in such an accident, if any Govinda loses both eyes or both legs or both hands or any two important parts of the body, then an amount of seven and a half lakh rupees will be given to him as help from the state government. In such an accident, if any Govind loses an arm or a leg or any part of the body, then in such a situation, an amount of 5 lakh rupees will be given to him as help.
This festival is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Shri Krishna. Groups of boys gather in the ground, road or compound and they break the earthen pot hanging at a height of 20-30 feet above the ground by making pyramids. The practice of Makhan Handi is quite famous in Maharashtra and Gujarat, where the matki is hung by filling it with curd, ghee, almonds and dry fruits.
It is believed that this tradition has been going on for the last 104 years in Ghansoli village near Navi Mumbai. Dahi Handi was first started here in 1907 on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. Dahi Handi festival held every year in Mayanagari is celebrated all over the world. Not only the country but people from abroad also come here to see the Dahi Handi festival. Some circles also give a reward of crores for breaking the handi.