Pune: Punit Balan Group to Celebrate DJ-Free Dahi Handi Again; 31 Ganesh Mandals to Join Grand Event at Lal Mahal Chowk

Pune, 4th September 2026: Bringing several prominent public Ganesh mandals of Pune together, the Punit Balan Group will once again organise a DJ-free Dahi Handi celebration this year. The festival will be marked by traditional instruments, dhol-tasha performances, halgi, Mardani Khel and a variety of cultural presentations, Puneet Balan Group President Punit Balan said.

The joint Dahi Handi celebration will be held at the historic Lal Mahal Chowk on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road. The Punit Balan Group began organising the joint Dahi Handi event two years ago. Last year, it organised what it described as Maharashtra’s first public DJ-free Dahi Handi celebration and has since consistently advocated DJ-free Dahi Handi and Ganeshotsav festivities.

The initiative has received a wider response this year, with 31 Ganesh mandals set to participate in the joint celebration.

Traditional Performances to Begin at 3 PM

The programme will begin at 3 pm with a performance by Prabhat Band, followed by a ceremonial tribute. Teams and groups including Ramanbaug Tejaswini, Pakhawaj-Taal, Shivvadya, Gajar, Halgi Vadan, Mardani Khel, Aavartan, Samarth, Shivmudra and Ashtavinayak will later present traditional and cultural performances.

“Festivals Can Be Enjoyed Without DJs Too” – Punit Balan

Punit Balan said Dahi Handi and Ganeshotsav are deeply rooted in Maharashtra’s culture and traditions and can be celebrated with equal enthusiasm through traditional instruments, dhol-tasha, halgi, Mardani Khel and cultural programmes instead of high-volume DJs.

He said the DJ-free Dahi Handi initiative launched last year has received an encouraging response this year, adding that the decision by more than 200 Ganesh mandals to avoid DJs is a positive development.

“Our effort is to encourage Pune’s festivals to be celebrated in a more traditional, cultural and environmentally conscious manner in the coming years,” Balan said.

Ganesh Mandals Participating in the Joint Dahi Handi

The participating mandals include Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust, Shrimant Peshwe Ganesh Mandir, Shri Tambdi Jogeshwari Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Shri Tulshibaug Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal Trust, Punyeshwar Mahadev Mandir Utsav Samiti, Shri Garud Ganpati, Uday Tarun Mandal Trust, Nagnathpar Sarvajanik Ganpati Mandal Trust, Munjoba Tarun Mandal, Phani Ali Talim Trust, Prakash Mitra Mandal, Bharat Mitra Mandal, Azad Hind Mandal, Vyavhar Ali Chowk Mitra Mandal Trust, Tvashta Kasar Samaj Sanstha, Shriram Abhimanyu Mandal Pune, Shri Hanuman Mandal Pratishthan, Janata Janardan Mandal, Krantiveer Rajguru Mitra Mandal, Ganesh Mitra Mandal (Alka Chowk), Bhoiraj Mitra Mandal, Shivtej Group, Natraj Group, Shrikrishna Mandal Trust, Vishwajyot Mitra Mandal Trust, Kunjir Talim Umbrya Ganpati Mitra Mandal, Shivajinagar Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Janardan Pawale Sangh, Shivshakti Mandal Tulshibaug, Nehru Tarun Mandal Kasba Peth and Trimurti Mitra Mandal, Manik Chowk, Kasba.