Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 18: Maharashtra is seeking UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition for two of its major public traditions, Ganeshotsav and Dahi Handi, with the state government planning a series of initiatives to strengthen their case for inclusion on the prestigious list.
The move comes after Deepavali was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2025. The list seeks to safeguard living heritage, including traditions, knowledge, skills and cultural expressions passed down through generations and kept alive by communities.
Ganesh worship has deep historical roots in Maharashtra and received patronage from the Peshwas. In 1893, freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak transformed the private celebration into a large public festival, helping bring people together during the freedom movement against British rule.
Ganeshotsav is now celebrated on a massive scale across Maharashtra. Mumbai alone has around 10,600 sarvajanik Ganesh mandals, although only about 2,500 obtain permission to conduct the 10-day festival. The total number of Ganpati idols across Maharashtra is estimated at around 28 lakh.
State Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said Ganeshotsav programmes would be organised across all 36 districts of Maharashtra, besides 10 other states and one foreign country.
The government is also planning various initiatives to strengthen the festival's case for UNESCO recognition.
Dahi Handi, celebrated a day after Janmashtami to mark the birth of Lord Krishna, combines religious devotion, community participation and sporting activity.
More than a decade ago, politician Sachin Ahir organised a large-scale Dahi Handi competition at Jamboree Maidan in Worli. The format subsequently gained popularity across Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, with competitions now offering substantial prize money.
Around 1,800 Dahi Handi events were organised across Maharashtra in 2025, including nearly 1,300 in Mumbai. The state government also provides insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh to every Govinda participating in Dahi Handi celebrations.
Other Indian traditions included on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list include Deepavali, Durga Puja, Kumbh Mela and Garba.
The list also recognises cultural traditions from around the world, including rickshaws and rickshaw art from Bangladesh, acupuncture and calligraphy from China, and yodelling from Switzerland.
UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage programme aims to safeguard cultural traditions, knowledge and skills that communities continue to practise and pass on to future generations.