Jakhadi Dance in Ganesh Festival of Konkan

Jakhadi Dance or Balya Dance is a Cultural Dance of the Konkan. This cultural dance is mainly organised in festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi. Jakhandi has another meaning - tie. A series of dancers is prepared in Jakhadi.

Ganeshotsav is the biggest festival in Konkan after Shimgotsava. After completing the farming activities in Konkan, the people of Konkan are eager for the arrival of their beloved Ganpati Bappa. With the advent of Ganesha, the fatigue caused by farming is completely gone.

On Bhadrapada Shuddha Chaturthi, Ganesha arrives in every house in Konkan with the sound of drums. Some have 5 days Ganpati and some have 10 days. These days everyone worships Ganesha in full spirit. Enthusiasm pervades everyone. They perform Aarti in the evening for their beloved Bappa. After that they perform traditional dance before Ganesha on the drum beat. This dance is called Balya Dance or Jakhadi in Konkan.