Rishikesh: Mahant Vatsal Prapannacharya Maharaj inaugurated the prestigious ‘Hrishikesh Basantotsav 2026’ by hoisting the flag

• The Hrishikesh Basantotsav 2026 will be organized from January 20 to 25
• Many programs will be held, and participants will get to experience various sports and showcase their talents
• The festival offers a wonderful confluence of colors, culture, sports, tradition, faith, and devotion
• Renowned artists from across the country participate in the festival, and folk songs and music will be presented

Rishikesh: (Manoj Rautela) The most prestigious festival of the pilgrimage city of Rishikesh began on Tuesday. In a grand ceremony at Jhanda Chowk, Mahant Vatsal Prapannacharya Maharaj inaugurated the Basant Utsav by hoisting the flag. A morning marathon was organized by the Basantotsav Committee Rishikesh as part of Basantotsav 2026. In the Under-19 category, Reet Thapa secured first place, Jitesh Kumar second, and Siddharth Pant third. In the girls’ category, Riya Bhandari secured first place, Priya Kashyap second, and Gungun third. In the Under-14 boys’ category, Raghavendra Das secured first place, Kapil Yadav second, and Mohit Bhatt third. In the Under-14 girls’ category, Radhika Rana secured first place, Pratyaksh second, and Pransi third. Chief Guest Colonel Amit Attri honored the winners at the event. The competition was efficiently organized by program convenor Sunil Prabhakar and co-convenor Praveen Rawat. Jitendra Bisht, Lakhwinder Singh, Vikas Negi, Deepak Bhardwaj, Mohit Kumar, and others were present during the event.

On this occasion, Mahant Prapannacharya Maharaj said, “This prestigious event is held every year. It provides a platform for colors, folk traditions, sports, songs, music, entertainment, and traditional games. We always try to do something new, something different. My best wishes to all the participants.” Following this, the district-level Sanskrit college student sports competitions were held at the grounds of Shri Bharat Mandir Inter College. Various sports competitions were organized. In the morning’s inaugural session, the chief guest, Deputy Director of the Sanskrit Education Department, Dr. Vajashrava Arya, along with Mahant Vatsal Prapannacharya, Fair Convener and former Municipal Chairman Deep Sharma, Vinay Uniyal, Mahant Ravi Prapannacharya, Sports Committee Convener Dr. Janardan Kairwan, and Program In-charge Surendra Dutt Bhatt, inaugurated the competitions by lighting the ceremonial lamp.

“Thanks to the Basantotsav Committee for providing such a grand platform,” said Dr. Vajashrava Arya. The chief guest took the salute of the march past after the flag hoisting ceremony. The chief guest thanked the Basantotsav Committee, stating that the committee had provided such a grand platform for the physical development of Sanskrit students. He said that such programs provide students with opportunities to progress in life. Mahant Vatsal Prapannacharya, Fair Committee Convener Deep Sharma, Vinay Uniyal, and Varun Sharma extended their best wishes to all the participating students. Sports Committee Convener Dr. Janardan Kairwan said that on this auspicious occasion, volleyball, kabaddi, long jump, 100-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter races, and shot put competitions were organized. In the evening’s prize distribution ceremony, the Secretary of the Uttarakhand Sanskrit Education Council, Padmakar Mishra, presented awards to all the winning participants and extended his best wishes. Also present on this auspicious occasion were Program Co-convener Naveen Bhatt, Principal Dr. Omprakash Purwal, Vijay Juglan, Stage Manager Acharya Subhash Dobhal, Principal Yamuna Prasad Tripathi, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Dr. Girish Pandey, Vikas Negi, Dr. Sunil Dutt Thapliyal, Ranjan Anthwal, K.P. Uniyal, Shanti Prasad Dangwal, Jitendra Bhatt, Vipin Bahuguna, Sunil Vijalwan, and others.