President Murmu visits Chhattisgarh on Oct 22-23 for Nuakhai, Bastar Dussehra
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu heads to Chhattisgarh on 22-23 October for a culturally packed two-day tour — releasing a commemorative coin for Mata Hasi Devi Ji in Raipur, attending Nuakhai harvest festival events, and then travelling to Jagdalpur for the Muriya Darbar tribal assembly and Bastar Dussehra, one of India's most distinctive and ancient tribal festivals.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu will visit Chhattisgarh on 22 and 23 October 2026 .
On 22 October in Raipur , she will release a commemorative coin honouring Mata Hasi Devi Ji at Lok Bhavan .
She will attend the Seva Samman Parv and Yuva Prabodhan programmes marking the Nuakhai harvest festival.
On 23 October in Jagdalpur , she will attend the Muriya Darbar tribal assembly and a public programme for Bastar Dussehra .
Chhattisgarh's Scheduled Tribe population accounts for roughly 32% of the state, making it one of India's most significant tribal states.
President of India Droupadi Murmu will undertake a two-day state visit to Chhattisgarh on 22 and 23 October 2026, attending a range of cultural, tribal, and youth-focused programmes across Raipur and Jagdalpur. The visit covers both the urban heartland and the tribal belt of the state, reflecting the breadth of Chhattisgarh's cultural calendar.
Day One: Raipur — Commemorative Coin and Nuakhai Celebrations
On 22 October, President Murmu will be in Raipur, where she will release a commemorative coin honouring 'Mata Hasi Devi Ji' at Lok Bhavan. The special coin pays tribute to the revered spiritual figure and is being seen as a significant moment of institutional recognition for a culturally important personality in the region.
Later on the same day, she will attend two major events organised to mark the Nuakhai festival — the 'Seva Samman Parv' and the 'Yuva Prabodhan' programmes. Nuakhai is a traditional harvest festival celebrated with considerable enthusiasm across Chhattisgarh and Odisha, carrying deep agrarian and community significance. The President's participation at events focused on community service and youth inspiration is notable given her own roots in the tribal culture of Odisha.
Day Two: Jagdalpur — Muriya Darbar and Bastar Dussehra
On 23 October, President Murmu will travel to Jagdalpur in the Bastar region. She will attend the Muriya Darbar, a traditional tribal assembly that occupies a central place in the cultural life of Bastar's indigenous communities.
She will also grace a public programme organised on the occasion of Bastar Dussehra — a festival that is distinct from the mainstream Dussehra observed elsewhere in India. Rooted in the traditions of Bastar's tribal communities, the festival spans several days and features distinctive rituals, processions, and offerings that predate the Mughal era. It draws visitors and scholars from across the country and is a recognised expression of living tribal heritage.
Significance of the Visit
The two-day itinerary is notably diverse, spanning spiritual tribute, harvest celebration, tribal assembly, and youth engagement. This comes amid a broader pattern of President Murmu — herself a member of the Santali tribal community — placing emphasis on tribal culture and Adivasi heritage through her official engagements since assuming office in 2022.
The visit also reflects the Centre's continued symbolic association with regional festivals and community traditions, particularly in states with significant tribal populations. Chhattisgarh has one of the largest Scheduled Tribe populations in India, accounting for roughly 32% of the state's residents according to census data.
What to Watch
President Murmu's presence at Bastar Dussehra, one of India's most distinctive tribal festivals, is expected to draw wider attention to the cultural traditions of the region. State authorities in Chhattisgarh are likely to use the visit to highlight ongoing development and cultural preservation initiatives in the Bastar belt ahead of the forthcoming programme season.
Point of View
An ancient tribal festival with no mythological parallel to the mainstream Ravana-burning tradition, signals an institutional acknowledgement of India's pluralistic festival heritage that rarely gets comparable visibility. What the visit does not address, however, is the ongoing tension in the Bastar region between development pressures, security operations, and tribal land rights — an elephant in the room that no ceremonial itinerary can fully sidestep.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will President Murmu visit in Chhattisgarh on 22-23 October 2026?
President Droupadi Murmu will visit Raipur on 22 October and Jagdalpur in the Bastar region on 23 October 2026. The two-day tour covers cultural and tribal programmes across both cities.
What is Bastar Dussehra and why is it significant?
Bastar Dussehra is a multi-day tribal festival celebrated in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, that is distinct from the mainstream Dussehra observed elsewhere in India. It is rooted in the traditions of Bastar's indigenous communities, features unique rituals and processions, and is considered one of the oldest and most elaborate tribal festivals in the country.
What is the Nuakhai festival that President Murmu will attend?
Nuakhai is a traditional harvest festival celebrated in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, marking the offering of the new crop. President Murmu will attend the Seva Samman Parv and Yuva Prabodhan programmes held in Raipur on the occasion of Nuakhai on 22 October 2026.
What is the Muriya Darbar that the President will attend in Jagdalpur?
The Muriya Darbar is a traditional tribal assembly held in Jagdalpur as part of the Bastar Dussehra calendar. It is an integral part of the local cultural tradition and brings together tribal communities and leadership in a ceremonial gathering.
What commemorative coin will President Murmu release in Raipur?
President Murmu will release a commemorative coin honouring 'Mata Hasi Devi Ji' at Lok Bhavan in Raipur on 22 October 2026. The coin pays tribute to the revered spiritual figure and marks an official recognition of her cultural and religious significance.
