A diverse range of sporting, cultural and heritage-related activities has been scheduled for the second day of Basohli Utsav 2026 on Tuesday, with a marathon, seminars on classical literature and religious traditions, water sports, art exhibitions, street plays, Raavi Aarti and cultural performances forming the major attractions of the celebrations.

The day-long programme, spread across prominent locations in Basohli, aims to bring together sports enthusiasts, students, artists, scholars and the general public through activities highlighting the region's cultural heritage, artistic traditions and sporting potential.

According to the schedule, the day's proceedings will begin with a Marathon and Run for Fun at Atal Setu from 7 am to 11 am. The event will combine a sporting activity with messages promoting physical fitness, heritage awareness and the campaign against drug abuse.

Thakur Darshan Singh, MLA Basohli; Prem Sagar Aziz, former minister; Sumesh Spolia, former Chairman of Municipal Committee Basohli; the Additional Deputy Commissioner Basohli; the Chief Executive Officer of the Basohli-Bani Development Authority (BBDA); and the Tehsildar Basohli are scheduled to flag off the marathon.

The programme will include a special tribute to Pawan Sharma, founder of the Basohli Marathon, in recognition of his contribution to promoting sports and heritage in the region. Addresses on fitness, heritage and the "Say No to Drugs" campaign will also form part of the event.

Excise Commissioner Vaibhav Kohli, JKAS, is scheduled to attend the closing ceremony and distribute cash prizes to the winners. According to the programme, prizes of Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place winners, respectively, in both boys' and girls' categories.

The closing ceremony will also feature traditional Pagadi Bandhna, presentation of badges and the presentation of a customised nameplate in the Takri script to the guest.

Seminar on Geet Govind at Basohli Fort

A seminar on Geet Govind will be held at the Fort Area from 10:30 am to 1 pm, bringing together scholars and students for discussions centred on the classical literary and cultural tradition.

The invited participants joining online include Acharya Drihsykala Sankay, Prof. Kumar Ambrish Chanchal, Dr. Anvesha Mehanta and Dr. Abhijeet Dikshit.

Those scheduled to attend in person include Dr. Ayush Nandan of Delhi University, Dr. Anita Billowria, retired professor, Dr. Abhimanyu Singh, Dr. S.S. Billowria, Prof. Shanti Swaroop Sinha and Dr. Deepa Soni Balwal.

Students from Churamani Sanskrit Sansthan, colleges and schools are expected to participate in the programme.

The seminar will begin with a welcome ceremony and the traditional presentation of pagadis and badges to the guests, followed by an introduction to the event and academic proceedings. Nameplates in the Takri script will also be presented to the guests.

Panel discussion on Devi Parampara

A panel discussion on Devi Parampara is scheduled at the Fort Area from 1:10 pm to 2 pm.

Ripunjay Thakur, Dr. O.K. Shastri and Dr. Vandan Sharma are listed among the invited guests for the discussion. The audience will include members of the general public and students from Churamani Sanskrit Sansthan, colleges and Higher Secondary School Basohli.

The session will provide a platform for discussion on the traditions and cultural significance associated with Devi Parampara. The programme will follow the welcome and introduction of guests, with nameplates in the Takri script scheduled to be presented at the conclusion.

Dham Chowkdi to bring people together

A Dham Chowkdi programme will be organised in the Mandi Area from 2 pm to 3 pm, with the participation of members of the general public.

Dr. Gourav Vaid, Dr. Natasha and Dr. Harish are listed as guests, while Shiv Doblia will moderate the programme. Neelam Spolia will anchor the event.

The session will begin with the welcome of guests and the traditional presentation of pagadis and badges before the moderator introduces the participants and outlines the proceedings.

Water sports to showcase Basohli's adventure potential

Water sports will be another major attraction of the second day, with activities scheduled at the Water Sports Complex, Basohli, from 2 pm to 5 pm.

The programme will feature rowing, kayaking and canoeing, highlighting the potential for water-based recreational and sporting activities in the region.

Ajit Singh, Deputy Commissioner, State Taxes (Appeals-I), Jammu; Babu Ram Tandon, CEO, BBDA Basohli; and Rajeev Sharma, member of the J&K Sports Council, are listed among the guests for the event.

The activities are expected to attract members of the general public and school students. The programme will begin with the reception of guests, followed by an introduction and commencement of the sporting events.

Art exhibition, street plays and Raavi Aarti at Atal Setu

The late afternoon and evening programme at Atal Setu will combine artistic expression, public awareness and cultural traditions.

An exhibition of paintings and other artworks will be held from 4 pm to 5 pm. This will be followed by a street play, or Nukkad Natak, from 5 pm to 5:30 pm, organised by the J&K Department of Culture.

The street play will be anchored by Kulvir Singh and Sushil Thakur.

A Jhanki, or cultural tableau, is scheduled from 5:30 pm to 6 pm, showcasing cultural and heritage-related themes.

The programme will also include Iravati (Raavi) Aarti, scheduled from 5:30 pm to 6 pm. Dr. S.P. Vaid, former Director General of Police, is listed as the yajman for the ceremony.

The Aarti programme will include the welcome of the yajman, traditional Pagadi Bandhna, presentation of a badge and an introduction before the commencement of the religious ceremony.

The combined activities are expected to add a distinctive cultural and spiritual dimension to the celebrations at Atal Setu.

Cultural night at Rani Talaab

The day's programme will culminate in a cultural night at Rani Talaab, scheduled to begin at 10 pm.

The event will feature performances by students of Cluster University, alongside musical and theatrical presentations.

Among the major attractions will be a magic show by CBC and "Virasat – Bhaakh on Rajaas of Jammu", to be presented by renowned Dogri singer Asha Kesar.

The programme will also feature a singing performance by Sahil Kumar, associated with Choona Hai Aasmaan, and a Konark play by Anurag Koushal and his troupe. Additional cultural performances by school and college students will form part of the evening.

The cultural night is expected to provide a platform for young performers while showcasing the region's linguistic, artistic and theatrical traditions.

Cartoon workshop continues at Basohli Fort

A special attraction running alongside the festival is a cartoon workshop being organised from October 19 to 21 at Front Park, Basohli Fort, between 11 am and 4 pm.

The workshop is based on the themes "Vikas Bhi Aur Virasat Bhi" and "Nasha Mukt Bharat", combining development and heritage awareness with the message against drug abuse.

Seven cartoonists are listed as participants: Sagar Kumar, senior cartoonist; Manoj Kureel; Madhav Joshi, senior cartoonist; S. Tariq; Manoj Chopra; Chander Shekhar Sharma, popularly known as Bunty Cartoonist; and Arvind Sharma.

Students from different schools, interested students and artists from the Basohli Painting Centre are expected to participate in the workshop.

The exhibition area will be located near the pond during daytime hours from 11 am to 4 pm, while the exhibition at Atal Setu is scheduled to continue from 4 pm onwards.

With sporting events, academic discussions, religious and cultural programmes, water sports and artistic activities spread across the day, the second day of Basohli Utsav 2026 is set to offer a varied programme celebrating the area's heritage and community participation.