CM Dhami greets Uttarakhand on Satum-Aathum festival
Synopsis
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami greeted residents on Satum-Aathum, a Shaivite folk festival observed on the seventh and eighth lunar days, praying to Maa Gaura and Bhagwan Maheshwar for happiness and prosperity across the state.
Key Takeaways
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami extended greetings for Satum-Aathum on 20 August 2026 .
Satum-Aathum is observed on the seventh and eighth days of the lunar fortnight in Uttarakhand .
The festival centres on prayers to Maa Gaura and Bhagwan Maheshwar , reflecting the state's Shaivite folk traditions.
CM Dhami invoked the state's identity as Devbhoomi — land of the gods — in his message.
He prayed for happiness, prosperity, and continuous progress for all residents of the state.
On the occasion of Satum-Aathum, one of Uttarakhand's most cherished folk festivals, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended warm wishes to every resident of the state on Thursday, 20 August 2026, invoking the blessings of Maa Gaura and Bhagwan Maheshwar for happiness, prosperity, and progress.
Posting in Hindi, CM Dhami wrote: 'समस्त प्रदेशवासियों को देवभूमि उत्तराखण्ड के पावन लोकपर्व सातूं-आठूं की हार्दिक बधाई एवं शुभकामनाएं' — 'Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all residents of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand on the auspicious folk festival of Satum-Aathum.' He prayed that the festival bring joy, prosperity, and well-being into every home, and that the people of the state continue to advance on the path of growth and progress.
Satum-Aathum: Uttarakhand's Shaivite folk celebration
Satum-Aathum — observed on the seventh and eighth days of the lunar fortnight — is a deeply rooted folk festival of the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand. Centred on devotion to Maa Gaura (a manifestation of Goddess Parvati) and Bhagwan Maheshwar (Lord Shiva), the festival reflects the hill state's strong Shaivite and folk traditions. The name 'Devbhoomi' — land of the gods — that CM Dhami used in his greeting is the state's own identity, rooted in exactly this cultural inheritance.A ritual of public visibility and cultural continuity
For Uttarakhand's chief ministers, acknowledging hill-region festivals through public greetings has long been a practice that bridges governance and cultural identity. By invoking specific deities central to the festival — rather than offering a generic seasonal wish — CM Dhami signals familiarity with the state's distinct folk traditions, which differ markedly from the plains-centric festivals that dominate national attention. For the millions of Uttarakhand residents, many of them part of a large diaspora across Indian cities, such acknowledgement carries genuine resonance. As Uttarakhand continues to position itself as a destination for cultural and spiritual tourism, the preservation and visibility of festivals like Satum-Aathum remain quietly significant — a thread connecting the state's mountain communities to their heritage.Point of View
But Dhami's specific invocation of Maa Gaura and Bhagwan Maheshwar — rather than a generic greeting — reflects a deliberate alignment with Uttarakhand's distinct Shaivite and hill-folk identity. For the BJP, which governs the state, cultural continuity and Devbhoomi branding are consistent political and governance themes. The gesture also speaks to a large Uttarakhand diaspora in cities like Delhi and Dehradun who maintain strong ties to hill-region traditions. Whether such visibility translates into concrete policy support for folk-festival preservation remains the more substantive question.
NationPress
20 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Satum-Aathum festival in Uttarakhand?
Satum-Aathum is a folk festival of Uttarakhand observed on the seventh and eighth days of the lunar fortnight, centred on prayers to Maa Gaura (a form of Goddess Parvati) and Bhagwan Maheshwar (Lord Shiva). It is a significant cultural celebration in the Kumaon and Garhwal regions.
What did CM Pushkar Singh Dhami say on Satum-Aathum 2026?
CM Dhami extended heartfelt greetings to all residents of Uttarakhand, praying to Maa Gaura and Bhagwan Maheshwar that the festival bring happiness, prosperity, and well-being, and that people continue to advance on the path of progress.
Why is Uttarakhand called Devbhoomi?
Uttarakhand is officially known as Devbhoomi, meaning 'land of the gods,' because of its dense concentration of Hindu temples, sacred rivers, and deep-rooted traditions of Shaivite and folk worship that define the hill state's cultural identity.
Who are Maa Gaura and Bhagwan Maheshwar?
Maa Gaura is a manifestation of Goddess Parvati worshipped widely in Uttarakhand's folk traditions, while Bhagwan Maheshwar refers to Lord Shiva. Together they are central deities in the Satum-Aathum festival observance.
When is Satum-Aathum celebrated in 2026?
Satum-Aathum falls on the seventh and eighth days of the lunar fortnight. CM Dhami's greetings were posted on 20 August 2026 , marking the festival's observance this year.
