Debate on opening day, live cooking contest on November 10
Lucknow: A 14-day Uttarakhand Mahotsav will be held on the banks of the Gomti from November 9 to November 22.
The festival opens on November 9 with a debate competition marking 26 years of Uttarakhand’s development since the state’s founding. On November 10, women will take part in a live cooking contest. The formal inauguration will be on November 11 by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who will be chief guest. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will be chief guest on November 17.
The festival celebrates Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage, folk life, music and dance. Each day, Chholiya troupes from Uttarakhand, in colourful costumes and with traditional instruments, will welcome the chief guest.
Honours and publication
Addressing a press conference, president Harish Chandra Pant said the Uttarakhand Mahaparishad gives its Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman every year to a respected member of society who has made a significant contribution to positive change. This year’s recipients are folk singer Veena Tiwari and scientist Dr. V. P. Dimri. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh will also release Uttarakhand Darpan 2026, a souvenir volume (Viksit Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat special issue).
About the organisers
General secretary Bharat Singh Bisht said the Mahaparishad has worked for 78 years to preserve and promote Uttarakhand’s culture and pass it on to future generations. It has also started several competitions to give new artists a platform.
Convener Diwan Singh Adhikari said the organisers were delighted to hold the 14-day event on the Gomti’s banks. About 150 stalls have been set up, and all are booked. They offer handicrafts from various states, organic products from self-help groups, herbal juices, Uttarakhand sweets, Nainital namkeen, Kashmiri shawls, carpets and food. Stalls will open from 10:00 a.m.
Media in-charge Rajendra Singh Kanwal said the festival holds a special place in Lucknow because of its central location, varied programmes and products from many states. He said local residents wait for it all year, and that special attention has been paid to cleanliness and security.
Main attractions
- Dance Uttarakhand Dance: Performances by talented teams to Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari folk songs.
- Jhoda competition: More than 500 women will perform traditional Jhoda folk dances.
- Nachega Bharat: Folk dances, music and culture from states across India.
- Voice of Uttarakhand: Live performances of Uttarakhand folk songs.
- Traditional Holi competition.
- A star night: Music and dance with well-known Uttarakhand artists.
- Kavi sammelan (poetry gathering) and other competitions.
Dignitaries, including Union and state ministers, officials and senior citizens, will attend as chief or special guests each day. The festival’s president is Prof. Dr. Rita Bahuguna Joshi. The cultural evenings were organised by the cultural teams of Mahendra Singh Gailakoti and Puran Singh Jeena.
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