The fragrance of Bastar's soil and rich tribal culture are ready to make their mark on the world stage.
00 Mahakumbh of tribal culture Bastar Pandum 2026
00 This year, registration of more than 54 thousand participants created a new history
Raipur. Bastar Pandum is a major cultural, community and natural festival of Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, which preserves and showcases tribal traditions, folk arts and lifestyle. In which traditional dance, music (Mandar-flute), costumes, folk crafts (wood/bamboo/metal) and traditional food will be displayed. This festival is a symbol of self-identity of Bastar, which, besides giving a platform to local artists, connects the youth with their roots. Participants from different regions will showcase 12 traditional cultural forms of Bastar.
This year's event has shattered all previous standards of popularity, transforming it from a mere competition to a massive celebration of folk culture. Looking at the statistics, this event is setting a historic record. While in 2025, 15,596 participants registered their presence in the block-level competitions, this year the number has more than tripled to 54,745. The people of Bastar are so aware and enthusiastic about preserving their roots, traditions, and folk arts. Dantewada district, in particular, has set a record for the highest participation in the entire division with 24,267 registrations, followed by districts like Kanker, Bijapur, and Sukma, which have also registered strong presences in the thousands.
The fragrance of Bastar's soil and its rich tribal culture are once again poised to make their mark on the world stage. The division-level Bastar Pandum is scheduled to be held from February 7 to 9, 2026, generating unprecedented enthusiasm among the region's residents. Amidst this immense excitement, all eyes are now focused on the division-level competitions, scheduled to be held between February 7 and 9. Eighty-four teams and their 705 selected artists, who have emerged victorious from the tough district-level competition, will showcase their art. The main attractions during these three days will be the rhythms of tribal dances, the echoes of traditional songs, and the performance of plays.
65 artists will play traditional instruments.
A total of 12 different genres will be performed in the competition, with the highest number of 192 artists showcasing their talent in tribal dance and 134 in tribal drama. This platform will not be limited to mere entertainment; it will be a unique confluence of Bastar's knowledge, art, and taste. While 65 artists will play traditional instruments, 56 participants will spread the aroma of delicious tribal cuisine. Additionally, Bastar's rare forest medicines, paintings, crafts, jewelry, and regional literature will be showcased, introducing the new generation to its heritage.
340 women will showcase their skills at the divisional level.
Another striking feature of this event is the increasing participation of women. Among the 705 participants who reached the divisional level, there is a striking balance between the number of female and male artists, with 340 women and 365 men. This participation demonstrates that women here are working shoulder to shoulder with men to advance and preserve Bastar's culture. Overall, Bastar Pandum 2026 is poised to be an unforgettable event with its grandeur and public participation.
