Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav 2026: Full 3-Day Schedule, Guests, Air Show

Chhattisgarh turns 26 today, and the state is marking its foundation day with a three-day Rajyotsav in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar from November 1 to 3, 2026. Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurates the festival this evening, the Indian Air Force's Sarang helicopter team will fly over Sendh Lake on November 2, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the closing ceremony on November 3.

The celebrations are being held at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Industry and Trade Complex (Mela Ground) in Nava Raipur, under the theme "Sashakt Nari, Yuva Udaan" (Empowered Women, Youth Soaring High).

A Quick Look Back

Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh on November 1, 2000, becoming India's 26th state. Since then, November 1 has been celebrated as Rajyotsav, a showcase of the state's tribal heritage, folk culture, crafts and development work. This year's edition is spread over three days, with programmes also held at all district headquarters.

Chhattisgarh shares its foundation day with several other states and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Tamil Nadu, making November 1 one of the busiest days on India's state-day calendar.

Day-by-Day Schedule

November 1: Inauguration

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presides over the opening, with Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya as chief guest. The inauguration is scheduled for 6 pm. Local artists take the stage from 4 pm, a state-level cultural programme follows at 7 pm, and playback singer Palak Muchhal headlines the night at 8 pm.

November 2: Governor's Day and Air Display

Governor Ramen Deka is the chief guest, with Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal presiding. The big draw is the IAF Sarang Helicopter Display Team, which will perform over Sendh Lake in Nava Raipur at 11 am. Led by Group Captain Abhijit Kumar, the team flies five indigenous Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters, and its pilots include Squadron Leaders Ankita and Akshayaa. Singer Swasti Mehul performs in the evening.

November 3: Closing Ceremony

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is the chief guest at the finale, presided over by CM Vishnu Deo Sai. Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya closes the festival with a night performance.

Key Details at a Glance

What Visitors Can Expect

Each day follows a similar rhythm: local artists from 4 pm, state-level performers at 7 pm and national artists from 8 pm. Alongside the stage shows, the grounds host exhibitions on Chhattisgarh's culture, folk traditions, handicrafts and government development schemes, plus a dedicated Shilpgram, or craft village, where artisans display and sell their work.

If you plan to go, a few tips:

• Reach early for the evening concerts, as the national-artist slots usually draw the biggest crowds.
• For the Sarang show on November 2, head to the Sendh Lake area well before 11 am.
• Expect tight security on all three days, with police from across the state and paramilitary forces deployed, especially around the VIP programmes.

Celebrations Beyond Raipur

Rajyotsav is not limited to the capital. On November 2, programmes are being held at every district headquarters, with ministers and public representatives named as chief guests in each district. These local events usually feature school cultural shows, folk dance troupes and stalls set up by government departments to explain schemes for farmers, women's self-help groups and young people. For many families in Bastar, Surguja and other regions far from Nava Raipur, the district event is their main way of joining the state's birthday.

The festival's stage line-up also deliberately mixes local and national talent. Giving the 4 pm and 7 pm slots to local and state-level artists keeps Chhattisgarh's own music and folk traditions, such as Panthi and Raut Nacha, at the heart of the celebration, while the late-evening Bollywood singers draw the biggest crowds.

Why It Matters

For Chhattisgarh, Rajyotsav is more than a cultural fair. It is a moment for the government to present its record and for the state to celebrate an identity rooted in its tribal communities and forests. This year's focus on women and youth reflects where the state wants to point its next decade of growth, while Amit Shah's presence at the finale underlines the Centre's attention on a state that has been central to the campaign against Left-wing extremism.

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