Moments that define Pune’s spirit – Dahi Handi 2025 human pyramid in full glory.
By Prashant for PuneriPages.in
This year’s Dahi Handi was insane—like, seriously, Pune just knows how to go all out with its festive spirit! I couldn’t help but jot down a few thoughts about what really made it stand out this time, especially if you’re a Punekar like me or just someone who loves witnessing the raw energy of our city during Janmashtami.
Table of Contents
The Atmosphere: Electric as Ever 🔊
You could feel the buzz days before the event. Local mandals were hyping up their themes and Govinda pathaks (those crazy-strong human pyramids) were seen practicing at random grounds across the city. I live near Kothrud and even at 11 PM, I’d hear chants and dhol beats echoing through the lanes. It was that intense!
Star Power & Crowd Madness 🎤✨
This year, multiple celebs were spotted at popular venues like Shivaji Nagar and Hadapsar. I saw people losing their minds when a Marathi movie star waved from the stage. And the way people screamed when the pyramid hit the top matki—goosebumps!
Some political faces also showed up, but let’s be real, most of us were more interested in the free water bottles and DJ beats than their speeches 😅.
The Govindas: Brave, Young, & Full of JOSH 💪
These teams are no joke. The dedication, the coordination, the risk—they deserve more than applause. This time, I noticed a lot more safety gear being used (finally!), and there were medics on standby at almost every big mandal event. It felt safer, yet just as thrilling.
One moment that stood out for me? A 7-layer pyramid almost collapsed, but the base guys held on and everyone cheered like crazy when they steadied it. Pure Pune resilience.
My Personal Faves
- Music: DJ wale babu went full throttle—mix of Marathi bhajans and Bollywood bangers.
- Food stalls: I’m telling you, that wada pav near Mandai was chef’s kiss.
- Instagram moments: If you didn’t post a boomerang of the matki breaking… were you even there?
Why I Love Dahi Handi So Much
It’s more than just a matki on a rope. It’s about team spirit, tradition, and that fire in the belly to push your limits. As someone who grew up watching this from the sidelines, I still get that childlike excitement every time the crowd roars.
So, if you’ve never seen Dahi Handi in Pune, make sure you do next year. Trust me, there’s no festival like it. 💙
From a true Punekar’s heart.
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