5-day fest to celebrate Uttarakhand culture

Lucknow: Himalayan tea, herbs and bamboo artworks were the major attraction on the first day of a 15-day Uttarayani Kauthig 2026 organised by UP Parvatiya Mahaparishad at Govind Ballabh Pant Parvatiye Sanskriti Upvan on Wednesday. The festival was inaugurated by Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami. "This festival gives a platform to those weavers, artisans and farmers who do not have a definite place to sell their goods and gives the opportunity to people of Uttarakhand to connect with each other. Uttarayani is not only a festival but a reflection of the culture of Uttarakhand," Dhami said. "I have a special connection with Lucknow as I have studied here and understood the responsibilities towards nation and society. Lucknow has given me a direction to think and taught me to struggle and most importantly showed me the path of public service," he added. Mayor Sushma Kharakwal was honoured with Parvat Samman 2026. Customers were seen buying Himalayan herbs, squashes, jam, pickles, tea and jaggery, while many were purchasing bamboo artworks. A customer, Meena Rekhi said, "I have purchased chamomile and hibiscus tea packs and an apple jam". Another customer, Vinita Bisht said, "I have purchased bamboo artworks which have come from Almora and Himalayan herbs such as lemon grass, thyme and rosemary". A stall owner of bamboo artworks, Vikram Arya said, "Along with bamboo paintings we have bamboo and cane baskets, hot cases, bangle boxes, lamps, hair-clips, trays and wall hangings".A shobha yatra was taken out from Mahanagar Ramlila ground to Kapoorthala, which then came to the venue in which Kumaoni, Garhwali and Jaunsari people along with dance troupes from all over Lucknow participated and people danced to the beats of dhol.In the evening, the famous chholi and jhora dance of Uttarakhand was performed. Folk singer from Uttarakhand, Neeraj Chuphal sang folk songs such as ‘Ho kalam shururu' and ‘Kaushila ghumi aali garud'.