Agartala, Jan 10: The three-day Maharani Jal Utsav–2026, highlighting the Gomati river-centric lifestyle, folk culture and ancient traditions of the Maharani area, began on Saturday evening with a colourful inaugural ceremony at the Udaipur North Maharani Gram Panchayat premises.
The festival was formally inaugurated by Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, who lit the ceremonial lamp after a traditional river worship on the banks of the Gomati. Addressing the gathering, the minister said rivers are inseparable from civilisation, culture and human life, and such festivals help future generations understand the cultural and ecological importance of rivers.
The inaugural programme was attended by MLAs Abhishek Debroy and Rampada Jamatia, Gomati Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Debal Debroy, Udaipur Municipal Council Chairman Shital Chandra Majumder, Matarbari Panchayat Samiti Chairperson Shilpi Das, Assistant Director of Information and Cultural Affairs Ajay Dey, along with senior officials, public representatives and eminent citizens.
On January 11, the second day of the festival, a sit-and-draw competition for school students will be held in five categories from 9 am. The day will also feature the much-awaited traditional boat race at the Maharani Barrage, expected to draw large crowds, along with various rural sports events.
The festival will conclude on January 12 with competitions on Manasamangal and wedding songs, a traditional Awan or rice cake contest, and an evening cultural programme marking the grand finale.
Organisers said the festival aims to showcase Maharani’s rich cultural heritage and river-based lifestyle while opening new avenues for tourism in the region.
