India's festivals arrive in many forms, but their emotional language is remarkably familiar. Ganesh Chaturthi brings Bappa into homes and neighbourhoods. Durga Puja fills pandals with devotion and artistry. Diwali brings the glow of diyas, prayers and new beginnings. Chhath brings families together at the ghats, offering prayers to the Sun. Rooted in faith, family and community, these celebrations are also closely tied to the spaces where they unfold.

The first light of morning falls on a moving sea of feet. Young men shoulder kanwars, barefoot pilgrims circle sacred hills, and groups of friends climb mountain trails, singing bhajans. Phones stay tucked away, cameras keep clicking, and the name of God rises with every step. This is today’s pilgrimage in India.

Do the gods now meet devotees through camera lenses rather than prayer? Has pilgrimage become a journey of the soul, or merely another Instagram story waiting to be posted...

In India, dance and song have been the language of the soul for thousands of years. From temple thresholds to royal courts, and from village squares to the grand stage, classical dance kept the traditions of Bhava (expression), Raga (melody), and Rasa (essence) alive. Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, and Manipuri, all of these demanded discipline, Sadhana (devoted practice), and dedication. But today’s landscape is changing.

Deepavali, the festival of lights, has been inscribed on UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, announced at the 20th UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee session at New Delhi's Red Fort from December 8-13, 2025.

When the first rays of dawn sweep across the ancient city of Ayodhya, they illuminate more than sandstone pillars and carved spires. They reveal a story that has shaped India’s cultural soul for centuries. The Ram Temple, now standing in full grandeur, is not merely an architectural marvel but the culmination of faith and resilience.

Seventy-five years after independence, a long-suppressed truth demands to be heard: India’s heart beats Hindu. Cloaked under the guise of ‘secularism’ born in political shadows, the nation’s core has been hidden from view. Now, the veil is lifting. It is time to reclaim India’s soul, the ancient, timeless spirit that has shaped its destiny and unity across millennia.

Ritual theatre, a form of performance that combines sacred rituals with dramatic expression, is typically performed in temples or community spaces and is deeply rooted in religious festivals and collective memory.

The central and state governments should seriously consider special packages of incentives and concessions ahead of festivals. India’s festivals – be it Holi, Diwali, Eid, or Christmas – are not just celebrations of joy but also powerful engines driving the country’s economic growth. These vibrant events sustain the momentum of India’s market economy, making government support for festivals essential due to their multifaceted impact.

The Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj witnessed an unprecedented gathering of faith and spirituality. Over 66.30 crore devotees immersed themselves in the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. The event lasted 45 days and became a symbol of devotion and cultural heritage.