Maharashtra seeks UNESCO heritage status for Dahi Handi festival

The Maharashtra government has announced plans to seek UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for the Dahi Handi festival. Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar stated that the state will undertake formal efforts to secure this global recognition for the traditional celebration.

As part of a cultural exchange initiative, the government intends to send Govindas—the participants who form multi-tier human pyramids—to Spain. This move aims to showcase the tradition in connection to the Spanish practice of building human towers known as castells.

Minister Shelar also urged festival organizers to strictly adhere to safety regulations, traffic rules, and precautions to ensure the safety of participants and to minimize inconvenience to pedestrians and the public during the festivities.