Overview
- When & Where
The festival is held annually in April, coinciding with Hanuman Jayanti, and typically runs for 5–6 nights at the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in Varanasi. - Music for the Soul
Celebrated for its intimate, devotional atmosphere, the festival features a wide spectrum of Indian classical music and dance—with vocalists, instrumental maestros, and dancers offering heartfelt performances as spiritual offerings rather than commercial showcases. - Democratic & Free
The festival’s ethos is deeply non-commercial: there are no tickets, no VIP sections, and artists perform without charging any fees—creating an inclusive, egalitarian ambience.
Highlights from Recent Editions
- 102nd Edition (2025)
Held from April 16 to 21, the six-night festival featured over 100 artists, including 11 Padma awardees and 16 debut performers, spanning music and dance disciplines—all drawing appreciation from both locals and visitors. Notable performers included:- April 16: Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia (flute), Janani Murali (Bharatanatyam), Pt Rahul Sharma (santoor), Yella Venkateswara Rao (mridangam), Pt Praveen Godkhindi (flute), Pt Ajay Pohankar (vocal), Vikas & Vibhas Maharaj (sarod-sitar), Rohit Pawar (Kathak)
- April 21: Pt Anup Jalota, Pt Ulhas Kashalkar, Pt Mehtab Ali Niyazi, Pt Ronu Majumdar & Rishikesh Majumdar, Pt Sajan Mishra & Swaransh Mishra, and more.
- 101st Edition (2024)
The festival featured around 45–50 artists over six nights. For the first time, female performers took the stage—breaking earlier conventions. It also showcased a wide mix of Hindustani, Carnatic, instrumental, vocal, and dance presentations, including legendary maestros like Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Anup Jalota, Kavita Krishnamurthy, U. Rajesh, Sivamani, and local Benares gharana artists. - Roots & Philosophy
Founded in the 1920s by Mahant Hanuman Prasad Poddar, the festival began as a devotional musical offering. Over nearly a century, it has sustained its spiritual and communal essence, with no commercial trappings—a rare celebration of artistic depths. - Immersive Atmosphere
Nights often stretch past midnight with audiences seated on temple floors and rooftops. Traditional gestures like chanting “Har Har Mahadev” replace applause. Facilities are modest—plain seating, water, tea stalls, and temple prasad—yet deeply immersive. The experience is about collective devotion, not comfort.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| When | Annually in April, around Hanuman Jayanti |
| Where | Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Varanasi |
| Duration | Typically 5–6 nights |
| Art Forms | Indian classical music and dance—vocal, instrumental, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, etc. |
| Entry | Free and open to all |
| Ambience | Devotional, egalitarian, night-long, minimal commercial setup |
| Significance | Celebrates tradition, bhakti, and immersive cultural connection |
Why You Should Experience It
This festival isn’t just a concert—it’s a spiritual journey through sound, where music becomes a living expression of devotion. It offers a rare space where artistry and humility intertwine, and where every listener and performer shares in a timeless, sacred act.