Overview
- On January 3 in New Delhi, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai invited President Droupadi Murmu to serve as chief guest for Bastar Pandum 2026, and she offered her best wishes without a confirmed attendance; the state is also inviting Union ministers, ambassadors and out-of-state tribal troupes.
- A day earlier, the CM launched the festival’s official logo and theme song at Dantewada’s Danteshwari Temple, marking the formal start of preparations.
- The festival runs January 10 to February 5–6 in three tiers, with janpad events January 10–20, district programs January 24–29, and a divisional finale February 2–6.
- Competitive categories expand from seven to twelve, covering tribal dance, music, theatre, traditional instruments, attire and ornaments, worship practices, crafts, painting, traditional foods and beverages, regional literature and forest-based medicinal knowledge.
- Organisers plan activities across 1,885 gram panchayats and other local bodies with the Department of Culture as nodal agency, while officials link the effort to peace-building, including a stated goal to end left‑wing extremism by March 2026.