Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday said Rakhigarhi stands as a living testament to India’s ancient civilisation, preserving the legacy of generations whose skills, ingenuity and collective efforts shaped a highly developed society thousands of years ago. The historic site, he said, represents the country’s enduring cultural identity, deep-rooted connection with its past and civilisational pride.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to preserving and promoting this invaluable heritage, the Chief Minister said sustained efforts are being made to strengthen archaeological research, conservation, tourism infrastructure and public participation at Rakhigarhi.
The Chief Minister was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the seven-day Rakhigarhi Mahotsav 2026 at Rakhigarhi in Hansi district. The Mahotsav is being organised on the theme ‘Mati Se Mahotsav Tak’ (From Soil to Celebration). Heritage and Tourism Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma was also present.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs. 51 lakh for Rakhigarhi Gram Panchayat and assured that the demands submitted by the Panchayat would be addressed. Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the museum under construction at Rakhigarhi and visited various stalls set up as part of theMahotsav , where he also made purchases. He reviewed sporting events and other activities organised at the site.
He also visited an excavation demonstration organised by the Archaeology Department, where the excavation process and archaeological artefacts recovered during such work were displayed. The Chief Minister, along with Cabinet Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma and Commissioner and Secretary, Heritage and Tourism Department, Dr. Amit Agrawal, also examined a seal on display.
*Rakhigarhi Offers an Opportunity to Rediscover Our Roots- CM*
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said Rakhigarhi Mahotsav provides an opportunity not only to understand the country’s ancient roots but also to recognise the responsibility of preserving this heritage for future generations.
He said the theme ‘Mati Se Mahotsav Tak’ captures the journey of civilisation and the enduring relationship between people, their land and their cultural traditions. He said that the same soil produces food through the efforts of farmers, takes shape in the hands of potters and becomes an expression of culture through the creativity of artists.
Drawing a parallel between Haryana’s historic sites, the Chief Minister said that while Kurukshetra gave humanity the message of Karma, Rakhigarhi offers remarkable insights into an organised and developed human civilisation that flourished thousands of years ago.
He said the archaeological remains at Rakhigarhi preserve important evidence of the evolution of human settlements, craftsmanship, agriculture and community life. Pottery, beads, seals and other artefacts recovered from the site reflect the creativity, technical knowledge and skills of the people who inhabited the region.
*Connecting Younger Generations with Cultural Heritage Essential*
The Chief Minister emphasised that the true value of history lies not merely in understanding the past but also in drawing lessons that can guide the future.He said the well-planned ancient settlement at Rakhigarhi offers valuable insights into how modern villages and cities can be made cleaner, more considerate of people’s needs and environmentally sustainable.
Calling upon young people to take an active interest in their heritage, he urged them to acquire authentic knowledge about historical sites and share it responsibly.He encouraged students to learn languages, strengthen their communication skills and use digital platforms to present the authentic history of Rakhigarhi to wider audiences. Activities such as school-level quizzes on Rakhigarhi could also help generate greater awareness among students, he added.
The Chief Minister urged teachers and parents to familiarise children with local history by encouraging visits to heritage sites and museums.He said children who understand the history of their surroundings would be better equipped to represent their cultural roots with confidence, pride and authenticity wherever they go in the world.
*International Conference to Explore New Research Opportunities at Rakhigarhi*
The Chief Minister said an international conference is being organised as part of Rakhigarhi Mahotsav, bringing together scholars and experts from India and abroad to deliberate on archaeological evidence, recent discoveries and future research opportunities associated with the site.He said the conference would help lay the groundwork for new research initiatives, institutional collaborations and wider dissemination of archaeological knowledge.
Acknowledging the contribution of scholars and archaeologists, the Chief Minister said their painstaking efforts to study layers of the earth and piece together scattered evidence continue to reveal previously unexplored chapters of human civilisation.
*Government Giving Special Priority to Rakhigarhi’s Development*
The Chief Minister said Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’ reflects the belief that India’s modern development must draw strength from its cultural roots. He said Rakhigarhi is among the five archaeological sites identified by the Central Government for development as iconic sites.
Several initiatives have been undertaken to establish Rakhigarhi as a prominent destination on the tourism map, he said, adding that efforts are also being made to secure its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.National and international experts have been invited to undertake detailed research on the archaeological remains discovered at the site.
The Chief Minister informed that civil construction work on the Museum and Interpretation Centre at Rakhigarhi is almost complete. In the next phase, the facility is being developed to world-class standards at an estimated cost of Rs. 188 crore.
*Saraswati-Sindhu Civilisation Corridor Envisaged to Promote Heritage Tourism*
The Chief Minister said the state government has also envisaged the development of a Saraswati-Sindhu Civilisation Corridor to improve tourism connectivity and coordination among important archaeological sites.The proposed corridor would help create stronger linkages between heritage destinations and promote a more integrated approach to archaeological tourism.
He said the government is undertaking similar initiatives to conserve and develop other historically significant sites across Haryana.The old Tehsil building in Nuh, Loharu Fort and the tomb complex at Tauru have been declared State Protected Monuments.A state-of-the-art archaeological museum is also being established in Sector 5, Panchkula.
The Chief Minister said a project has been initiated to prepare site plans and exterior design frameworks for all State Protected Monuments to strengthen the conservation and preservation of the state’s ancient cultural heritage.He further said the Haryana Government has formulated the State Art and Culture Policy, ‘Kalash’, to safeguard, conserve, promote and encourage the state’s artistic and cultural traditions.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to preserving India’s cultural legacy for future generations, the Chief Minister referred to the International Gita Jayanti Mahotsav organised at Kurukshetra as another major initiative in this direction. He said the government is working to build a modern Haryana while protecting and drawing inspiration from its historical and cultural heritage.
Rakhigarhi Mahotsav, he added, is an important part of this endeavour and will help bring the state’s archaeological legacy closer to people from all sections of society.The Chief Minister urged visitors to leave theMahotsav with a renewed commitment to understanding their roots, preserving their heritage and using the lessons of the past to build a better future.
*Collective Efforts Underway to Give Rakhigarhi International Recognition- Dr. Arvind Sharma*
Haryana Heritage and Tourism Minister Dr. Arvind Kumar Sharma said coordinated efforts are being made to establish Rakhigarhi as an internationally recognised heritage destination and attract tourists from abroad.He said greater tourist interest would stimulate economic activity in the region and create new opportunities for local development and employment.
Highlighting the significance of archaeological discoveries at Rakhigarhi, the Minister said the excavated remains offer valuable insights into the lifestyle, technological knowledge and social practices of ancient communities.The findings indicate that people of the period had developed systems for drainage, access to clean drinking water, agriculture and transportation using bullock carts, he said.
Artefacts made from clay also demonstrate the craftsmanship and creativity of artisans of that era.
Dr. Arvind Sharma said Rakhigarhi Mahotsav provides an opportunity for people, particularly young students, to gain first-hand exposure to their historical and cultural heritage.Short courses and training-related activities have also been organised during theMahotsav to encourage learning and skill development among youth.
The Minister said that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has also highlighted the significance of Rakhigarhi, and efforts are underway to develop it as an iconic archaeological site.Under the leadership of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, he added, initiatives to enhance Rakhigarhi’s national and international recognition are being taken forward.