Bastar division · 10 January – 9 February 2026
Bastar Pandum
बस्तर पंडुम
The culture department’s tribal festival, held again in 2026 from the gram panchayats up to Jagdalpur. The President opened the divisional gathering. On 30 July Rajesh Agrawal was in the delegation she received in Delhi. The Chief Minister led that delegation.
- Nodal department
- Culture
- 2026 window
- 10 Jan – 9 Feb
- Jagdalpur opening
- 7 February
- Opened by
- The President
- Participants
- 54,750
- Disciplines
- 12
The announcement
A second year, twelve disciplines
When the Chief Minister released the 2026 logo and theme song, the Directorate of Public Relations said the festival would run in three phases from 10 January to 6 February: janpad programmes from 10 to 20 January, district programmes from 24 to 29 January, and the division from 2 to 6 February. The disciplines named were Bastar tribal dance, song, theatre, instruments, costume and jewellery, modes of worship, craft, painting, tribal drinks, traditional food, regional literature, and forest medicine.
Times Now reported the culture minister’s line at that release: the government was holding Bastar Pandum for the second year running, to carry the art forms of Bastar, with competitions in twelve disciplines. The culture and official-language department was nodal. The plan Times Now recorded covered 1,885 gram panchayats, 32 janpad panchayats, eight municipalities, twelve nagar panchayats and one municipal corporation across the seven districts, with online and offline entry.
7–9 February 2026 · Jagdalpur
The President opens the divisional gathering
A later department note moved the divisional dates. President Droupadi Murmu would inaugurate Bastar Pandum 2026 at 11 a.m. on 7 February in Jagdalpur, and the gathering would continue until 9 February. The first announcement had closed the division phase on 6 February.
When farmers sow seeds in this fertile land, it is Pandum. When the mango season arrives, it is Pandum. The people of Bastar celebrate every aspect of life.
News on AIR named Governor Ramen Deka, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu at the inauguration, with more than 700 artists from 84 teams in twelve disciplines through 9 February. That account does not place Rajesh Agrawal on the dais. The Statesman reported 54,750 participants from 32 blocks, categories widened from seven to twelve, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the closing. It also said the 2025 edition had been entered in the Golden Book of World Records. That is the outlet’s report of a private listing.
30 July 2026 · Rashtrapati Bhavan
A member of the delegation
The Statesman reported a 209-member delegation calling on the President. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai led it. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma and Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal were in the party, with Pandum 2026 winners, Manjhi and Chalki leaders, Padma Shri awardees and public representatives.
The department’s own note of the day is the same visit. It says the President hosted a lunch for the winners, the Manjhi and Chalki leaders and the Padma Shri awardees, and served the guests herself. Rajesh Agrawal is named in that party. The Chief Minister led it.
7 February 2026
Jagdalpur, in photographs
Both frames are PTI photographs published by ETV Bharat with its report of the inauguration.
The tribal-medicine display, Jagdalpur, 7 February 2026. PTI photograph published by ETV Bharat. The banner reads a display of tribal medicine. Rajesh Agrawal is not in this frame. Jagdalpur airport, 7 February 2026. ETV Bharat, citing PTI, says Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai received the President, and Governor Ramen Deka was also present.
Earlier photographs of the dances
These show the traditions the competitions present. None of them is a frame from Pandum 2026.
A Bison-horn Maria dance in Bastar. Ramesh Lalwani, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. An earlier photograph, not a 2026 Pandum frame. 
Bison-horn Maria dress in Bastar. Ramesh Lalwani, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Not a 2026 Pandum photograph. 
A Gaur Maria dance, as the file is titled. Ramesh Lalwani, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Not a 2026 Pandum frame.
Sources
Reports
DPR ChhattisgarhLogo releaseChief Minister releases the Bastar Pandum 2026 logo and theme songThe three-phase calendar first announced, and the twelve disciplines.- Times Now2026CM releases logo and theme song of Bastar Pandum 2026The minister’s remark on a second year and twelve disciplines, and the panchayat count in the plan.
- DPR ChhattisgarhBefore 7 Feb 2026President to inaugurate Bastar Pandum 2026 on 7 FebruaryThe Jagdalpur opening at 11 a.m. on 7 February, through 9 February.
- President of India7 Feb 2026The President inaugurates Bastar Pandum 2026 at JagdalpurHer address: Pandum as the way Bastar marks sowing, the mango season, and the rest of life.
News on AIR7 Feb 2026The President inaugurates the festival at JagdalpurWho AIR named on the dais, and more than 700 artists from 84 teams.- ETV Bharat7 Feb 2026The President inaugurates Bastar Pandum in JagdalpurPTI photographs of the tribal-medicine display and the airport reception.
The StatesmanBefore 30 Jul 2026President to honour Bastar Pandum 2026 winners54,750 participants, twelve categories, and the 209-member delegation led by the Chief Minister.- DPR Chhattisgarh30 Jul 2026Bastar guests at Rashtrapati BhavanThe department’s account of the call. The Chief Minister led the delegation.
YouTube9 Feb 2026Amit Shah addresses the Bastar Pandum closingThe Union Home Minister’s address at Jagdalpur. Not a film of Rajesh Agrawal.