The Mahindra Kabira Festival will return to Varanasi from December 4–6, 2026, marking the 10th edition of the annual celebration of the poetry and philosophy of the 15th-century mystic-poet Kabir.
Presented by the Mahindra Group and produced by Teamwork Arts, the festival places music at the centre of its programming, alongside literary discussions and cultural experiences.
To mark the milestone edition, the festival will bring back several artists who have performed at previous editions. The 2026 line-up includes Aruna Sairam, Shabnam Virmani, Kabir Café, Kalapini Komkali, Fakira, The Aahvaan Project, Maharaj Trio, Kamala Shankar, Sveta Hattangdi Kilpady and Umesh Kabir, spanning classical, folk, devotional and contemporary musical traditions.
In addition to morning and evening concerts held on the ghats of Varanasi, the programme will feature afternoon discussions exploring Kabir’s ideas and their contemporary relevance. Festival delegates will also have access to curated experiences including heritage walks, temple visits, boat rides on the Ganga, the Ganga Aarti, and showcases of local crafts and cuisine.
Over the past decade, the Mahindra Kabira Festival has hosted artists and speakers including Pandit Ajoy Chakravarty, Prahlad Singh Tipaniya, Mukhtiyar Ali, Aruna Sairam, The Raghu Dixit Project, Indian Ocean, Thaikkudam Bridge, Anwar Khan Manganiar, Shabnam Virmani, Kabir Café, Kailash Kher, Shubha Mudgal, Mooralala, Malini Awasthi, Dastaan Live, Paresh Maity, Purushottam Agrawal and Linda Hess.
Delegate packages, starting at ₹44,000, include access to the opening reception, concerts, literary sessions, guided heritage walks, Ganga Aarti, boat rides, temple visits, curated meals and hospitality. Accommodation can also be booked through the festival across a selection of heritage and boutique hotels located near the ghats.
