Lucknow | The tenth-day Uttarakhand Mahotsav reached its fifth day with vibrant energy, drawing massive crowds and showcasing the state’s rich culture, crafts, and cuisine. The festival grounds at Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant Pahadi Sanskritik Udyan on the banks of the Gomti River buzzed with visitors, with nearly 150 stalls — all packed and thriving.
From organic produce and traditional foods to handcrafted jewellery, woollens, and artefacts by women’s self-help groups, every stall reflected the unique heritage of Uttarakhand. A special section dedicated to millets and organic grains also drew interest from health-conscious visitors. The fair’s cleanliness, safety, and organization impressed attendees, with the entire venue under CCTV surveillance and Mahaparishad teams ensuring smooth management.
Lucknow’s famed tehzeeb (courteous culture) mingled seamlessly with the traditional charm of Uttarakhand, creating a cultural confluence that celebrated both heritage and modernity. The day featured a variety of cultural performances, from the traditional Jhoda dance competition to the energetic Dance Uttarakhand Dance contest, where even non-Uttarakhandi teams performed on Kumaoni and Garhwali songs. Events like Nachega Bharat, Voice of Uttarakhand, and the colourful Chhapeli folk dance electrified the audience. With prize money worth ₹3.5 lakh at stake, the competitions kept both participants and spectators on edge.
This grand cultural campaign continues to bridge tradition and modern expression, as the younger generation’s enthusiasm shows how vibrantly alive the state’s heritage remains. Social media is abuzz with snippets of performances, giving the festival a national spotlight.
Festival media in-charge Rajendra Singh Kanwal shared that Bal Mithai, the famous sweet from Almora, was selling briskly. “Almora’s Bal Mithai, white outside and red inside, reflects the sharpness of the people,” he added, quoting a popular local saying — ‘Almori baal, bhyar bai sukil huni, bheetar bai laal’.
The evening’s formal ceremony began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Chief Guest Brigadier Rajesh Kumar Singh, Commander, 41 Infantry Brigade, along with guests Yatendra Kumar Tewatia, State Marketing Manager, IFFCO; Ashish Semwal, Manager, IFFCO Lucknow; and Mahaparishad officials, who welcomed them in traditional style.
Earlier in the day, the Kafav Lok Sangeet competition saw 20 participants showcase their singing talent. Under the supervision of the Mahaparishad’s Women’s Cell, Yash Balesha won first place, followed by Ashlesha and Vivaan Srivastava.
The evening’s performances included a dazzling Chholiya dance by the Udanchal Kala Kendra (Almora), folk dance by Pavani Bajetha, and a lively remix dance by Divya Shukla’s City School of Dance and Music. Women’s ramp walk and dance numbers added glamour to the event.
The Jhoda dance troupes — including teams from Mayapuri, Bahadurpur, and Telibagh — impressed the crowd with their synchronized moves and traditional attire. Meanwhile, the Nachega Bharat and Dance Uttarakhand Dance Season 4 contests continued with fierce competition among leading groups such as Srijanakur (Gomti Nagar), Ehsas Group (Alok Nagar), and Umang Group (Vasundhara Puram).
Voice of Uttarakhand featured soulful performances of new Kumaoni songs by Babli Bhandari, Deepak Singh Parwal, and Jagat Singh Dhapola.
The festival also saw collaborative performances supported by the Department of Culture, Government of Uttarakhand, including the Shivani Vihar-based Art and Cultural Group led by Kamna Bisht and her team (Shobha Patwal, Kritika Rawat, Gargi Ghughutiyal, Lal Singh Bisht, Madan Singh Bisht, and Pooran Joshi), who enthralled audiences with vibrant folk dances.
Artists from both the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand culture departments, including Kishan Lal’s Nayi Dishayein troupe, captivated the crowd with mesmerizing traditional performances.
