Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta joined the Haritalika Teej Mahotsav 2026 at Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday, 20 September 2026, alongside Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, celebrating the festival with members of the Nepali and Gorkhali community. The event, organised by Hamro Swabhiman Trust, also honoured 10 personalities for outstanding contributions to society and the nation.

Chief Minister's Address

Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister Gupta said that Haritalika Teej is 'not merely a fast, but a saga of women's resolve and power.' She described the festival as rooted in the penance and determination of Goddess Parvati, calling it a living symbol of the faith, strength, and dedication of Indian mothers and sisters. She added that 'a culture that keeps the festivals of its women alive never perishes.'

Gupta characterised Haritalika Teej as a festival celebrating the power and self-respect of the Nepali and Gorkhali woman, and extended her wishes to women of the community across Delhi and beyond.

Community's Contributions Highlighted

The Chief Minister noted that a significant number of people from the Nepali and Gorkhali community reside in Delhi alongside various other parts of the country. She said the identity of this community is defined not by numbers alone, but by their 'courage, discipline, honesty, and loyalty.' Gupta credited community members for contributions spanning national security, education, medicine, literature, music, sports, and business.

Tribute to Swami Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna

Appreciating the work of the two organisers, the Chief Minister said that Swami Ramdev brought yoga 'out of ashrams to the general public,' while Acharya Balkrishna played a key role in strengthening the scientific foundations of yoga and Ayurveda. Together, she said, both have given the country 'a sense of self-respect along with yoga and Ayurveda.'

Felicitation Ceremony

Delhi Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra, who holds the Art, Culture and Language and Tourism portfolio, was also present and praised the organisers for the event. He acknowledged the people of Delhi for their sensitivity and support following the natural disaster that struck Nepal. Gupta commended the felicitation ceremony, saying that honouring 'soldiers, teachers, farmers, artists, and officials whose contributions did not receive adequate recognition is a far greater deed' than merely celebrating a festival. She described the honour as 'a record of society's contributions.'

With community events of this scale increasingly shaping Delhi's cultural calendar, the Haritalika Teej Mahotsav underscores the growing visibility of the Nepali and Gorkhali diaspora in the capital's public life.