UP CM Yogi Adityanath Inaugurates 'Braj Raj Utsav', 'Hunar Haat', And 'Kumbh Of Kaushal' In Vrindavan

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is in Mathura today (10 November) to inaugurate the 'Braj Raj Utsav', 'Hunar Haat', and 'Kumbh of Kaushal Kuber' programme at Vrindavan, Mathura.

The 10-day programme (10 November-19 November) is being organised to promote Braj culture, its inherent spirituality and specialised handicrafts.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, local MP Hema Malini, Uttar Pradesh Minister for Power Shrikant Sharma, Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, UP Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad Vice-Chairman Shailja Kant Misra and other dignitaries will also be present on the occasion of the inauguration of the 31st "Hunar Haat" at Vrindavan.

A boost to ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Vocal For Local’

Naqvi said that "Hunar Haat" is a perfect platform to promote, preserve and provide market and opportunities to centuries-old traditional and ancestral art and craft of India and it is strengthening the "Swadeshi" and "Vocal for Local" campaign.

"Hunar Haat" has also ensured the economic empowerment of indigenous artisans and craftsmen.

"Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad is organising the 10-day Braj Raj Mahotsav from November 10 in Vrindavan to promote the glorious Braj culture. Religious, traditional folk dance, as well as cultural programmes related to Braj culture, will be organised during the event," the statement issued by the ministry said.

Participants from 30 states and union territories

Naqvi said that about 400 artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts are participating at 'Hunar Haat’ in ‘Braj Raj Utsav’.

Artisans and craftsmen from more than 30 States and Union Territories including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Nagaland, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Goa, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu-Kashmir, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala will bring their indigenous products made with wood, brass, bamboo, glass, cloth, paper, clay etc.

Traditional vegetarian foods from various parts of the country will also be available in the Hunar Haat," informed Naqvi.

6 years of ‘Hunar Haat’: Employment opportunities for 6 lakh people

The Minister for Minority Affairs stated that more than 6 lakh artisans, craftsmen and people associated with them have been provided employment and employment opportunities through "Hunar Haat" in the last about 6 years.

Craftsmanship, Bhajan Sandhyas, Mahabharat and much more

This 'Hunar Haat' is being organised at Kumbh Mela Ground, Vrindavan.

It will also host a 'circus', in which Indian circus performers will showcase their spectacular variety of performances.

The Braj Raj Utsav will host cultural performances from well-known artists such as Annu Kapoor, Kailash Kher, Suresh Wadekar, Puneet Issar (enactment of Mahabharata), Sadanand Vishwas, renowned bhajan singer Anup Jalota, Usman Mir, Trichur Brothers, singer Rani Indrani and others.

The decorations at Braj Raj Utsav are themed ‘Mera Gaon, Mera Desh’ (My Village, My Country). A 'Food Court' in the form of a thatched hut and “Vishwakarma Vatika” will be the centre of attraction among many other things.

Under ‘Aazadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations, a statue of local freedom fighter Raja Mahendra Pratap has also been crafted for public display at the event.