CULTURE AND COMMUNITIES
Festivals showcase the best of cultures and communities. From hard-to-reach, yet fascinating tribal festivals in the remotest corners, to iconic literary festivals to music festivals of exceptional variety of the traditional and the global kind, to art festivals that celebrate various forms of storytelling, the Indian subcontinent has it all.
Hornbill Festival, Kohima, India
Since 2000, the Hornbill Festival in Kohima, Nagaland’s capital, has been an annual celebration. It highlights Nagaland’s major tribes, showcasing their customs, traditions, food, costumes, and handicrafts. The festival derives its name from the revered Hornbill bird, a prominent figure in Naga folklore.
RIFF Jodhpur, India
In this music festival held every year, musicians from Rajasthan and all over the world gather to jam for four nights at the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. The festival coincides with the brightest full moon of the year, the Sharad Purnima. Interactive sessions with the artists are held for visitors and students during the daytime.
World Sacred Spirit Festival, Jodhpur, India
The World Sacred Spirit Festival, held at Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh fort, offers an enchanting Sufi music experience. The festival is ranked one of the top Sufi festivals in the world where Sufi artists from around the world captivate with soulful compositions. Meanwhile, Nagaur’s intimate Sufi Festival illuminates the Ahichhtragarh Fort with 5000 oil lamps, creating a mystical atmosphere.
India Art Fair, Delhi, India
The India Art Festival is a contemporary Indian art fair that serves as a major platform for art galleries, dealers, buyers, and artists. Held annually in New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, it features around 75 art galleries and 1000 independent artists. The festival provides opportunities for emerging and mid-level artists to showcase their work and engage with art enthusiasts.
Muziris Biennale, Kochi, India
The Muziris Biennale, held in Kochi, Kerala, showcases contemporary art across diverse mediums. It draws inspiration from Kochi’s cosmopolitan heritage and the ancient port of Muziris. Alongside the exhibition, engaging programs include talks, music, workshops, and educational activities.
Dev Deepavali, Varanasi, India
Dev Deepavali in Varanasi transforms the Ghats into a mesmerizing spectacle. Thousands of earthen oil lamps illuminate the riverbanks, creating an enchanting and magical view. Firecrackers light up the night, processions of adorned deities fill the streets, and oil lamps float on the River Ganga. The evening Ganga Aarti during Dev Deepavali is especially elaborate.
Kabira Festival, Varanasi, India
Each November, Varanasi awakens to the melodious notes of the Kabira Festival—a homage to the wisdom of the 15th-century mystic poet, Kabir. Amidst classical and folk music, literary discussions, boat rides, and the iconic Ganga Aarti, this vibrant celebration also champions environmental consciousness as one of India’s rare ‘green festivals.
Goa Jazz Festival, Goa, India
Amidst Goa’s vibrant nightlife, the captivating two-night Goa Jazz Festival embarks on an unforgettable musical odyssey through soulful jazz. Local artists and international acts converge, weaving an enchanting tapestry of melodies. From intimate jam sessions to lively main stage performances, the festival invites all to groove to the genre’s improvisational magic.
Jaipur Literature Festival, Jaipur, India
Since its modest inception in 2006, the Jaipur Literature Festival has blossomed into the Asia Pacific’s premier literary gathering. This vibrant event unites brilliant minds worldwide, offering readings, debates, discussions, live music, and interactive workshops. Distinguished speakers, including Pulitzer Prize winners Andrew Sean Greer and Colson Whitehead, Markus Zusak (author of ‘The Book Thief’), and Vikram Chandra (‘Sacred Games’ fame), grace this celebrated lit-fest.
The Sacred, Amritsar, India
The Sacred Amritsar is a festival where the echoes of history blend seamlessly with the vibrant pulse of contemporary culture. Nestled in the heart of Punjab, this enchanting event celebrates the spiritual essence of Amritsar, inviting you to explore its rich heritage through traditional music, captivating dance performances, and tantalizing cuisine.
Mountain Echoes, Festival of Literature, Art and Culture, Thimphu, Bhutan
The Mountain Echoes Literature Festival, a pioneering event in Bhutan, draws inspiration from the successes of the Jaipur Literary Festival and the Galle Literary Festival in Sri Lanka. Over four days, authors, poets, musicians, and filmmakers converge to celebrate Bhutan’s literary legacy. Beyond tradition, the festival embraces contemporary genres like filmmaking, blogging, and music, all under the esteemed patronage of Bhutan’s Royal Family.
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