Grand Opening of 10-Day Uttarakhand Mahotsav on the Banks of the Gomti

Culture and Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh inaugurates the festival celebrating the spirit of Uttarakhand

Lucknow: The ten-day Uttarakhand Mahotsav (November 9–18) commenced with grandeur at Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant Pahari Sanskritik Udyan, Birbal Sahni Marg, transforming the Gomti riverfront into a vibrant canvas of Himalayan culture, tradition, and music.

The inaugural ceremony witnessed a spectacular procession of over 30 Jhoda dance troupes, featuring women adorned in traditional Uttarakhandi attire and jewelry. The rhythmic beats of mashakbeen, turhi, dhol, and ransingh, along with performances by the Chholiya troupe of Udanchal Kala Kendra, Almora, and the Kumaon Regiment Band, created a mesmerizing aura, setting a soulful tone for the festival’s opening evening — Shaam-e-Awadh.

The festival was formally inaugurated by  Jaiveer Singh, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Uttar Pradesh, along with special guests  Sushma Kharkwal (Mayor, Lucknow),  O.P. Srivastava (MLA, Lucknow East),  Awanish Awasthi (Advisor to Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh), and presided over by Prof. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, former MP, Prayagraj, and Major Rohit Joshi. The lighting of the ceremonial lamp marked the beginning of this cultural extravaganza.

Honouring Excellence – Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman:
The inaugural day also featured the presentation of the Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman to Dr. Manjubala, Principal from Champawat and recipient of the President’s Award for her innovative trilingual teaching techniques. Recognized for her “outstanding contribution in education, compassionate approach, and transformative impact on students,” Dr. Manjubala was felicitated by the chief guest.

Cultural Evening Comes Alive:
As dusk fell, the Gomti riverfront glowed with vibrant cultural performances. Over 250 women artists formed concentric circles, performing the traditional Jhoda dance in perfect harmony — a spectacle of grace and color that captured the audience’s imagination.

Media coordinator Rajendra Singh Kanwal informed that the Mahotsav focuses on Swadeshi products, showcasing India’s indigenous crafts, cuisine, attire, and traditional lifestyle. The fair houses stalls displaying organic produce, handcrafted woolens, jewelry, pottery, and tribal art forms from across India.

Among the highlights are handcrafted woolens made from Himalayan and Ladakh rabbit fur, handwoven shawls and sweaters, tribal silk sarees from Odisha by Preeti Das, Kashmiri shawls, pure woolen sweaters, and Kullu caps. Visitors are also treated to aromatic incense, sacred items, and traditional Uttarakhand delicacies such as Rajma from Munsiyari, Bhatt and Gahat lentils, Buransh juice, Bal Mithai, Singodi, and more.

The Evening Performances:
The first day’s cultural lineup enthralled the audience with traditional and contemporary performances. Under the direction of Subhash Dewradi, artists from Tharali, Chamoli performed Paadav, a folk dance narrating episodes from the Mahabharata, using traditional instruments like dhol and damau.

The “Nachega Bharat” segment featured three troupes — led by Prem Singh Bisht (Devbhoomi Vrindavan Jan Sarokar Samiti), Renu Kandpal (Kurmanchal Nagar), and Reena Srivastava (Nritya Dance Academy) — who showcased diverse Indian dance forms.

The Dance Uttarakhand Dance – Season 4 competition featured groups directed by Maya Bisht (Brahm Kamal Cultural and Social Committee), Hema Bisht (Art and Cultural Group, Shivani Vihar), and Reema Wangdi (Devbhoomi Jan Sarokar Samiti, Gomti Nagar). Their synchronized performances drew loud applause from the audience.

Upcoming Events:
Tomorrow’s events (November 10) will include Chholiya dance performances supported by the Department of Culture, Dehradun, and Matr Poojan under the direction of Pramod Chandra Tiwari, alongside Sufi Kathak by Sumit Singh and Pahadi Mix Dance by Divyashi and Rudrakshi Bhatt from Fat to Fit Academy, led by Tripti Gupta.

Evening sessions will feature Ghassiyari and Chapeli folk dances by Indu Bhatt Mamgai’s troupe (Hansa Nritya Natya Kala Vikas Society, Dehradun), and a Jhoda dance competition between five prominent groups. Vocalists Jagat Singh Dhapola, Laxman Singh Martolia, Deepak Parwal, and Pankaj Wangdi will perform under the Voice of Uttarakhand banner.

With its blend of tradition, color, and creativity, the Uttarakhand Mahotsav 2025 has set the tone for a grand cultural celebration, uniting the spirit of the hills with the heart of Lucknow.