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Dahi Handi is a traditional celebration associated with Krishna Janmashtami, particularly popular in Maharashtra
The activity requires strength, balance, coordination, and teamwork, with the youngest and lightest participant often climbing to the top.
Dahi Handi could be taken to the global sporting stage, with talks underway to showcase the traditional human-pyramid sport at the 2030 Commonwealth Games in India as part of efforts to introduce it to countries beyond Maharashtra and eventually seek its inclusion in the Olympics.
Purvesh Sarnaik, chairman of the Pro Govinda League, said talks are underway to showcase Dahi Handi at the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, with the aim of introducing the traditional sport to participating countries and exploring its eventual inclusion in the Commonwealth Games programme.
Dahi Handi is a traditional celebration associated with Krishna Janmashtami, particularly popular in Maharashtra, where it is observed to commemorate Lord Krishna’s childhood attempts to steal curd and butter. A pot filled with curd or other dairy-based items is suspended high above the ground, and teams of participants, known as Govindas, form human pyramids to reach and break it.
The activity requires strength, balance, coordination, and teamwork, with the youngest and lightest participant often climbing to the top. In Maharashtra, especially Mumbai, Thane and Pune, Dahi Handi has evolved into a large public and competitive event, with teams competing for cash prizes.
The league is an effort in working towards giving Dahi Handi an international platform, with the Commonwealth Games being seen as a possible avenue to showcase the sport to athletes and sporting bodies from other countries.
“It might take 10, 15, 20 years, but our goal is to take the Dahi Handi sport first to the Commonwealth Games and then eventually in the Olympics. We will keep working hard and this league is an effort to introduce the sport to the world. Our dream is that Dahi Handi doesn’t stay limited to Mumbai but reaches the world,” Sarnaik said.
He said the ambition was to ensure Dahi Handi does not remain limited to Mumbai or Maharashtra.
The push to take Dahi Handi beyond its traditional setting comes as the Pro Govinda League prepares for its fourth season, with 16 teams set to compete from August 25 to 27.
The league has unveiled its championship trophy and announced a total prize purse of ₹1.89 crore. The winners will receive ₹75 lakh, while the first and second runners-up will get ₹50 lakh and ₹25 lakh, respectively. Each participating team will also receive ₹3 lakh.
Sarnaik also highlighted the scale of participation in the traditional sport, saying around 3,200 players take part on the same day. He said Dahi Handi provides these players with a platform to showcase their talent through competition.
The prize structure is part of the effort to build a more competitive and financially sustainable format around Dahi Handi and encourage greater participation.
While the Commonwealth Games proposal and Olympic ambition remain long-term goals, Sarnaik said sustained efforts would be required to establish Dahi Handi on the international sporting calendar. For now, the focus is on expanding the sport’s organised competitive format and taking it to a wider audience.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18The article context indicates that Dahi Handi is aiming for Olympic inclusion, but it does not specify if it could become an Olympic sport by 2030.
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August 19, 2026, 19:12 IST
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