Maharashtra’s Culture Resounds on Kartavya Path; ‘Ganeshotsav’ Tableau Captivates the World

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Honoured with the Ashoka Chakra

New Delhi, January 2026 : The nation’s 77th Republic Day was celebrated today with great enthusiasm and grandeur on Kartavya Path in the national capital, New Delhi. India’s military strength, tableaux reflecting unity in diversity, and the country’s historic strides in the space sector were the major highlights of this year’s celebrations. Among them, Maharashtra’s tableau based on the theme “Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Self-Reliance” drew widespread attention. On this occasion, astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was conferred the Ashoka Chakra by President Droupadi Murmu.

The main Republic Day समारोह was attended by President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chief guests European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, along with several other Union Ministers and distinguished invitees. At the start of the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi paid tributes to the fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial. Before the commencement of the main parade, President Murmu honoured Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla with the Ashoka Chakra.

Originally a fighter pilot, Shukla has been on deputation with ISRO since 2020. He recently completed a historic 20-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). For becoming the second Indian to travel to space after four decades, the first Indian to visit the ISS, and for his exceptional courage, he was awarded the Ashoka Chakra gallantry decoration.

During the parade that followed, Maharashtra’s tableau offered a magnificent display of the state’s cultural heritage and economic strength. It powerfully depicted how the social movement initiated by Lokmanya Tilak through public Ganeshotsav has evolved into a force contributing to a modern, self-reliant India. Marking 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, the tableau presented Maharashtra’s rich and enduring traditions to the world.

Artistically designed, the front section of the tableau featured a woman beating a grand drum symbolizing Maharashtra’s energy; the middle section showcased an idol sculptor shaping Lord Ganesha; and the rear section displayed a replica of the Ashtavinayak temples. The spectacle was further enhanced by a Lezim troupe of women dressed in traditional nine-yard saris, accompanied by the vibrant beats of dhol-tasha, which echoed across Kartavya Path.

At the heart of the presentation was the theme of sustainable livelihoods generated through Ganeshotsav for idol makers and decoration artists, and the broader economic ecosystem built around the festival. With the Maharashtra government declaring Ganeshotsav a ‘State Festival’ from 2025, the tableau carried special significance. Amid displays of the Indian Army’s cavalry, modern indigenous missile systems, and tableaux from various states, Maharashtra’s cultural legacy stood out distinctly, leaving a lasting impression.