CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Inaugurates Uttarakhand State Tribal Mahotsav 2026

 The vibrant Uttarakhand State Tribal Mahotsav 2026 commenced today at Parade Ground with its grand inauguration by the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami. The ceremony was presided over by Cabinet Minister Khajan Dass. Among the esteemed dignitaries present were MLA Cantt Savita Kapoor, Vice President of the Tribal Advisory Council Geeta Ram Gaur, Deshraj Kandwal, Sandeep Tiwari, Director, TRI Uttarakhand SS Tolia, Coordinator TRI Uttarakhand Rajeev Kumar Solanki, and Additional Director TRI Uttarakhand Yogendra Rawat.

Organised by the State Tribal Research Cum Cultural Centre and Museum (TRI), Uttarakhand, the three-day Mahotsav celebrates the rich and diverse tribal heritage of the state. The festival brings together artisans and performers from across India, including Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand, creating a vibrant confluence of culture, craftsmanship, and tradition.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami highlighted the importance of preserving indigenous traditions and empowering tribal communities through such platforms.

During the occasion, he said, “Whenever I attend the Uttarakhand State Tribal Mahotsav, I feel a deep sense of joy and pride. The enthusiasm and warmth of our tribal youth and students here is truly inspiring. It is our collective responsibility to preserve and promote our rich tribal values, traditions, and cultural heritage for future generations. Under the visionary guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are taking several significant steps for the empowerment and holistic development of our tribal communities. The establishment of the AADI Sansthan to support preparations for competitive examinations like UPSC and PCS is one such initiative, and it will soon be strengthened further with the development of a multipurpose hall.”

Adding further, he said, “Over the years, unprecedented work has been carried out for tribal welfare. I extend my gratitude to our Prime Minister for substantially increasing the budget allocation towards tribal development, enabling states like Uttarakhand to accelerate inclusive growth. I am delighted to be part of the third edition of this Janjatiya Mahotsav, which reflects our commitment to celebrating and strengthening our tribal identity.”

He further added, “On this occasion, we are also reinforcing our commitment towards social security by extending pension benefits across various categories, including the elderly, widows, persons with disabilities, farmers, and women in need. These schemes are aimed at ensuring dignity, financial support, and a secure future for every section of society.”

During the occasion, the Aadi Gaurav Samman 2026 was also announced, wherein the first folk singer of the Tharu tribe, Late Rinku Rana, and tribal leader of the Buksa tribe, Late Darshan Lal, were honoured.

The festival showcases an extensive exhibition of tribal arts and crafts, along with captivating cultural performances by artists representing various regions. Several tribes, including Tharu, Jaunsari, Bhotiya, Buksa, and Raji from Uttarakhand, presented their traditional music and dance performances.

Director, TRI Uttarakhand, SS Tolia, remarked, “The Mahotsav serves as a meaningful bridge between tradition and opportunity. It not only celebrates our tribal identity but also opens new avenues for artisans to connect with wider markets and audiences.”

The opening day witnessed a spellbinding performance by ‘Gadh Ratan’ Narendra Singh Negi, who enthralled the audience with timeless hits like ‘Nauchami Naraina’, ‘Bedu Pako Baramasa’, and ‘Chali Badi Bazaar’. This was followed by an energetic performance by popular folk singer Kishan Mahipal, known for crowd favourites such as ‘Fyonladiya’, ‘Ghughuti’, and ‘Ghumai De’.

The evening culminated with a soulful performance by Naresh Badshah, who captivated the audience with his popular renditions, including ‘Teri Lali’, ‘Shiv Kailashon Ke Vassi’, ‘Darshniye’, and ‘Zindagi’.

With thousands of visitors in attendance, the Mahotsav is abuzz with vibrant stalls offering a wide array of organic millet-based delicacies, traditional handicrafts, home décor items, ethnic apparel, and footwear.

Open to all with free entry, the Uttarakhand State Tribal Mahotsav 2026 will continue to celebrate culture, community, and creativity until 27th March 2026.