Mahotsav theme: ‘Atal SanskritiAtal Virasat’

LUCKNOW : This year’s Lucknow Mahotsav would be dedicated to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and based on the theme ‘Atal Sanskriti-Atal Virasat’, said DM Kaushal Raj Sharma. He said the annual cultural festival would host an exhibition displaying artefacts and pictures related to Vajpayee.

LUCKNOW : This year’s Lucknow Mahotsav would be dedicated to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and based on the theme ‘Atal Sanskriti-Atal Virasat’, said district magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma on Monday.

He said the annual cultural festival would highlight Vajpayee’s contributions for the country and also host an exhibition displaying artefacts and pictures related to him.

The Mahotsav will be held from November 25 to December 5 and will be inaugurated by the chief minister.

The venue would also have around 650 commercial stalls, 450 handicraft stalls, 71 pavilions, 20 kiosks and 45 food stalls.

Unlike the previous year when the fest was clubbed with UP Diwas and organised at Avadh Shilpgram, this year it would be organised at Kashiram Smriti Upvan.

Interestingly, it will be after two years the annual fest would start on the usual date (November 25).

In 2015, the Mahotsav was postponed to January 27 while in 2016 it was held from February 7. In 2017, the fest started on January 2018.

However this time, the administration has decided to hike entry ticket charges from Rs 10 to Rs 20. It was also decided that the seasonal ticket would cost Rs 100.

The Mahotsav, aimed to exhibit the city’s rich heritage and culture, was first started in 1975 to give a boost to tourism.

Since then, it became an annual affair for the state capital where craftsmen and artisans from various parts of the country participate and showcase their talent.

The fest will be packed with many attractions.

Among other unique events will be a Khadi fashion show, mushairas and kavi sammelans.

Similarly, there would be auto expo zone, live FM studio, shadow act and other attractions.