Rakhigarhi: A thrilling quiz competition unfolded within the unfinished compound of the Harappan Museum during the Rakhigarhi Mahotsav in Haryana on 26 December. The air was electrified by the iconic Kaun Banega Crorepati theme music and the moderator, channelling Amitabh Bachchan’s signature style, dramatically posed questions about India’s ancient heritage.
“Who first excavated the Rakhigarhi archaeological site?” the moderator asked the students on the first day of the festival. “Suraj Bhan,” answered one of the six teams. The question passed, and the next team answered Amarendra Nath. The moderator went close to the team, leaned in, and as excitement mounted in the audience, he said: “Ekdum sahi jawab (absolutely correct)!”
Haryana Directorate of Archaeology & Museums organised a three-day-long Rakhigarhi Mahotsav from 26 to 28 December, with the theme ‘Maati se mahotsav tak (From the soil to the festival)’. It’s an effort to raise public awareness about the historical significance of the discovery.
Rakhigarhi’s 5,000–year-old archaeological site is the largest and one of the most important remnants of ancient Harappan civilisation. This is the first Harappan site in India to have a festival where visitors can engage with the artefacts. It is also among the five iconic sites announced by the Modi government in Union Budget 2020-21. And now, efforts are underway to include it in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Rakhigarhi Motsava transformed the site into a live classroom, blending archaeology with folk culture, student engagement, and public spectacle. It’s an attempt to move the ancient civilisation beyond academic circles, even as encroachments, stalled infrastructure, and long-pending museum work cast a shadow over the site’s future.
“Haryana is known as the cradle of Indian civilisation. The Rakhigarhi Mahotsav is a tribute to acknowledge and show gratitude to Haryana’s vibrant cultural legacy,” Amit Khatri, director, Archaeology and Museums, Haryana told ThePrint.
Inaugurating the festival, chief minister Nayab Singh Saini said that the Union Budget has earmarked Rs 500 crore for Rakhigarhi development.
“This is the festival and celebration of our ancient and proud culture. Rakhigarhi is the land where Harappan civilisation flourished, and the world knew about the city planning, water management, and cleanliness,” said Saini, adding that the state government started the festival last year to gain global recognition.
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A group of school students with trowels in their hands were inside a 10×10 trench. It was not a real excavation, but a mock dig to give a hands-on experience of the process.
Beside the trench was a mock excavated area representing the remains excavated from the Rakhigarhi. It also showed the famous 4,600-year-old skeleton excavated from Mound 3 of Rakhigarhi.
The archaeological remains were one of the most appealing artefacts for the visitors and students. They clicked photos and shot videos, whispering about the history of the site.
“I heard about the Rakhigarhi, but this is my first visit. This is like a roller-coaster ride for me where I know history and culture in an engaging way,” said Rohit Kansal, a 9th-class student who travelled from Hisar.
The festival integrated archaeology with the rural traditions of Haryana. It featured folk dances such as Khoria and Dhamal, as well as rural sports such as kushti and kabaddi. It also features handmade textiles, terracotta artefacts, and products made by women-led self-help groups.
“Aayiye is mahotsav ka hissa banker apni maati aur sanskriti se judein (Come be a part of this festival and connect with your roots and culture),” read one of the posters at the festival.
Stalls sold Indus Valley–printed t-shirts, Harappan seals, and replicas of Harappan artefacts. “Bhuli sabhyta ki mehak apne ghar me basayein (Bring the essence of a forgotten civilisation into your home),” read a poster at the Sindhu Smarika stall.
The most striking highlight was an exhibition on important archaeological sites of the state, such as Rakhigarhi and Agroha. At the exhibition, images of the excavated site of Rakhigarhi were on display with a brief description of the skeleton remains and the cemetery of the site.
“Pratek puravshesh batate hain sabhyta ki kahani (each artefact tells the story of the civilisation),” read the entry board of the exhibition.
In the last 10 years, Rakhigarhi has come on the international map. The Archaeological Survey of India and the Haryana state archaeology department have carried out several rounds of excavations in the past few years.
“Rakhigarhi is a witness to India’s ancient civilisation. This festival provides a platform where creativity and heritage are brought together, fostering an appreciation for the past and a deeper understanding of the present,” said Amit Agarwal, commissioner and secretary, Heritage and Tourism.
Over the years, a parade of politicians has visited the site, which has brought more empty promises than real action. The government is facing a challenge to remove encroachment at the site, and the museum construction is still in limbo.
However, CM Saini remains confident. “This is the new India, where we draw inspiration from the past and look toward the future,” he said.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)