Bharat Parv- 2026, a vibrant cultural festival celebrating the living traditions of India’s civilisational heritage, was inaugurated on the 77th Republic Day at the Red Fort, New Delhi. The festival is an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism and was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla, and the Hon’ble Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
The festival offers an immersive cultural experience through the display of 41 Republic Day tableaus and 48 cultural performances presented by State and Union Territory troupes, the North Zonal Cultural Centre, the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and eminent artists. Performances by bands from the armed forces and paramilitary forces add a stirring patriotic dimension to the celebrations. Food courts featuring 60 stalls showcase cuisines from across the country, along with live cooking demonstrations highlighting India’s rich culinary heritage.
Handicrafts and handloom traditions form a major attraction of Bharat Parv-2026, with 102 stalls displaying the work of artisans supported by States, Central Ministries, the DC (Handicrafts), DC (Handlooms), and TRIFED. State tourism pavilions and central ministry stalls highlight India’s diverse tourism potential, while interactive spaces featuring nukkad nataks, quizzes, and children’s activities encourage active public participation.
In his inaugural address, Hon’ble Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla described Bharat Parv as a celebration of India’s multifaceted cultural soul. He noted the special significance of the year, marking 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram, and observed that the festival reflects India’s historical journey through Republic Day tableaus, folk performances, and exhibitions that seamlessly blend tradition with innovation. He paid tribute to artists, farmers, artisans, and weavers, emphasising their role in preserving India’s living heritage and showcasing how tradition and progress advance together in modern India.
Hon’ble Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted that India’s folk traditions form the roots of the national spirit and are integral to the country’s development vision under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He underlined that Bharat Parv provides a vital platform for preserving, promoting, and celebrating India’s diverse cultural practices while connecting them with contemporary aspirations.
With participation from all States and Union Territories and over 25 Central Ministries, Bharat Parv 2026 stands as a living expression of India’s unity in diversity- honouring Vande Mataram and reaffirming the enduring cultural values that continue to inspire the nation. The festival is open to the public from 27 to 31 January 2026.
