Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma Inaugurates ‘Rajasthan Utsav 2026’ in New Delhi
New Delhi : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Sunday inaugurated “Rajasthan Utsav 2026” at Bikaner House to mark the celebration of Rajasthan Day. The festival, being held in the national capital from March 15 to March 25, offers visitors a vibrant glimpse into Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage through traditional crafts, folk music, folk dances, handicrafts and authentic regional cuisine.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that Rajasthan’s traditions, art forms and cultural practices form the foundation of the state’s proud identity. He emphasised that the state government remains committed to preserving and promoting this legacy while creating greater national and global recognition for Rajasthan’s cultural heritage. According to him, events like Rajasthan Utsav provide a meaningful platform to connect people from across the country and abroad with the living traditions of the state.
Chief Minister Interacts with Artisans and Women Self-Help Groups
During his visit to the festival venue, Shri Sharma toured various exhibition stalls set up by Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad (RAJEEVIKA) and the Rajasthan Rural Non-Farm Development Agency. He interacted warmly with artisans from different districts of Rajasthan and women members of self-help groups associated with Rajeevika.
The Chief Minister appreciated the diverse range of handicrafts, traditional textiles and artistic creations on display and enquired about the artisans’ creative processes and experiences. He also discussed the functioning of self-help groups, product marketing and livelihood opportunities with the women entrepreneurs.
Shri Sharma noted that the state government is continuously working to strengthen self-help groups economically and help them access wider markets for their products. Such festivals, he said, play an important role in providing artisans and SHG members with national-level visibility while contributing to increased income opportunities. He further highlighted that Rajasthan’s traditional crafts and handicrafts are an integral part of its cultural heritage and deserve sustained efforts for preservation and promotion.
Cultural Performances Bring Rajasthan’s Traditions to Life
The Chief Minister also inaugurated a Rajasthani photography exhibition at Bikaner House, showcasing vivid images of the state’s folk life, historical landmarks and cultural traditions.
The cultural segment of the festival featured several captivating performances. Guinness World Record holder Praveen Prajapat from Alwar presented the traditional Matka Bhavai dance, while artist Vishnu Dutt Sharma enthralled the audience with performances themed on “Braj Ke Rang,” including the graceful Mayur dance and a colourful Phoolon Ki Holi presentation.
Among those present on the occasion were Members of Parliament Madan Rathore, Ghanshyam Tiwari, P. P. Chaudhary, Damodar Agarwal, Manju Sharma, Chunnilal Garasiya and Rajendra Gehlot. Senior officials including Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha P. C. Mody, Resident Commissioner Naveen Jain, along with artists, artisans and a large number of visitors were also in attendance.
