Lucknow: The three-day-long Uttar Pradesh Diwas 2026, based on the theme ‘Viksit Bharat-Viksit Uttar Pradesh’ will begin today at the newly constructed Rashtra Prerna Sthal premises in Lucknow.
The programme will be inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah as the chief guest.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has stated that the event should not remain just a government programme, but should become a public festival, ensuring participation of every citizen of the state and showcasing not only the state’s cultural diversity and vibrant spirit, but also its development journey.
From January 24 to 26, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department will curate an immersive tourism pavilion aimed at presenting the state as a multi-layered travel destination. The celebrations will be organised on the theme “Viksit Bharat, Viksit Uttar Pradesh”.
Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said the department’s stall has been designed as a one-stop guide for visitors, bringing together the full spectrum of Uttar Pradesh’s tourism potential. He said major attractions such as Magh Mela 2026, Bundelkhand’s heritage destinations, eco-tourism initiatives, heritage conservation projects and key programmes of the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation will be showcased. These will include the Lucknow Darshan electric double-decker bus service and projects developed under the public–private partnership model.
“The objective is to reinforce Uttar Pradesh’s position as a leading tourism destination by presenting not just destinations, but the systems and infrastructure that support travel,” Singh said.
The stall will provide detailed literature on tourism circuits, individual destinations and how-to-reach itineraries to help visitors plan their journeys. Information related to connectivity, accommodation and suggested travel routes will also be made available to convert interest into actual travel.
A major highlight will be the presentation of Magh Mela 2026, focusing on its spiritual importance, cultural traditions and the scale of arrangements being made for pilgrims and tourists. Visual presentations will showcase the Sangam, Kalpavas, saint congregations and folk traditions, while also underlining efforts to manage large faith-based gatherings in an organised and visitor-friendly manner.
Bundelkhand will receive special attention, with Kalinjar Fort projected as a signature heritage destination. Information on Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Lalitpur, Mahoba and Banda, along with the region’s waterfalls and cultural landscapes, will underline the state government’s push to place Bundelkhand firmly on the national tourism map.
To engage younger audiences, the tourism pavilion will also feature virtual reality experiences, offering Gen Z visitors immersive digital journeys across Uttar Pradesh’s tourism circuits and traditional heritage.
