Vasai | September 5, 2026
Vasai-Virar is preparing for Saturday’s Dahihandi celebrations, with 825 private and public venues planned across the city and municipal health, police and traffic authorities deployed for the event.
The celebrations, held on the occasion of Gopalkala, are expected to draw Govinda teams from Vasai-Virar, Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and the Palghar region. Organisers have announced prize money running into lakhs of rupees at several venues, while decorations, lighting, music and cultural programmes are being arranged at major junctions, roads and busy public locations.
According to the report, 145 public and 679 private Dahihandis will be installed across the city. Several political parties, including the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena factions, Nationalist Congress Party, Congress and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, have organised events offering large cash prizes. Lavani performances, other cultural programmes and appearances by film and dance personalities are also scheduled at some locations.
The Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation’s medical and health department has made treatment facilities available at its primary health centres and hospitals. Govindas can sustain injuries while forming human pyramids, and the civic health system has been placed on standby to respond to such cases.
Municipal chief medical officer Dr Bhakti Chaudhary said private hospitals had also been instructed to admit injured Govindas for treatment during emergency situations. The report did not specify the number of ambulances, medical teams or hospital beds assigned specifically to the celebrations.
The Vasai-Virar and Mira-Bhayandar police commissionerate has also prepared security arrangements for the festival. Police said they would monitor disputes, incidents of harassment, obscene comments directed at women and the throwing of coloured water at pedestrians. Action will be taken against violators, according to the report.
Traffic police will be deployed to manage vehicle movement and reduce congestion around celebration venues. Police have also warned organisers and participants to follow regulations governing sound levels and said violations of noise pollution rules could lead to action.
The festival falls on a Saturday this year, followed by a weekly holiday on Sunday, which organisers expect will increase public and participant attendance. Authorities’ arrangements will remain focused on medical response, crowd and traffic management, prevention of harassment and compliance with noise regulations during the celebrations.
