A Celebration of Ayodhya’s Living Heritage through Art, Literature, and Music
21–22 March 2025 | The Raj Sadan, Ayodhya
Ayodhya, one of India’s most sacred and historically rich cities, recently played host to
the TimelessAyodhya: Literature and Arts Festival on 21st and 22nd March 2025.
Held at the majestic Raj Sadan, the palace of Shri Bimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra
ji, Maharaja of Ayodhya and host of the festival, the two-day event brought together
some of the country’s most celebrated voices from literature, music, poetry, dance, and
spirituality. Supported by UP Tourism, the festival unfolded as a confluence of ideas, traditions,
and artistic expression, reintroducing Ayodhyanot just as a sacred city, but as a thriving
centre of cultural heritage and contemporary dialogue.
An Immersive Celebration of Culture and Spirituality
Conceptualized and led by Festival Co-Directors Shri Yatindra Mishra and Minhal
Hasan, the festival offered audiences a rare opportunity to experience Ayodhya beyond
its religious identity. Through panel discussions, performances, exhibitions, and culinary
showcases, Timeless Ayodhya highlighted the city’s art, craft, literature, and
philosophical legacy.
Set against the regal backdrop of The Raj Sadan, the festival created an atmosphere of
intimate reflection and grandeur—ideal for honouring the city’s ancient rituals,
devotional music, classical arts, and storytelling traditions.
Themes That Echoed Through Time
The festival explored a wide array of themes including:
● Poetry and Spirituality
● Bharatiya Traditions
● India’s Tangible and Intangible Heritage
● The Enduring Legacy of Shri Ram and Ayodhya
Visitors engaged with thought-provoking sessions and soul-stirring performances that
illuminated Ayodhya’s profound influence on Indian literature, philosophy, and the
performing arts.
A Distinguished Gathering of Luminaries
The festival welcomed a stellar lineup of speakers and performers, each offering unique
perspectives rooted in India’s diverse cultural landscape. Key participants included:
● Prasoon Joshi – Acclaimed poet and lyricist
● Vikram Sampath – Historian and biographer
● Dr. Chandra Prakash Dwivedi– Filmmaker and scholar
● Manjari Chaturvedi – Classical dancer
● Malini Awasthi – Renowned folk musician
● Vidya Shah – Classical vocalist
● Vijayrajamallika – Esteemed poet
Enriching the festival’s literary and intellectual discourse were voices such as Aditi
Maheshwari Goyal, Anant Vijay, Arun Maheshwari, Pragya Tiwari, Richa Anirudh,
Bhupendra Yadav, and Ashutosh Shukla.
The festival also featured powerful performances by Anwar Khan Manganiyar,
legendary folk artist, and culinary insights by Pankaj Bhadouria, who offered a glimpse
into the flavours of Ayodhya’s gastronomic heritage.
Literary Voices and Artistic Dialogues
The poetic segment of the festival was a celebration of language and imagination, with
poets and writers like:
● Ammber Pandey
● Amy Singh
● Anjum Sharma
● Jai Prakash Pandey
● Devanshi Seth
● Mithilesh Nandini Sharan
● Girish Pati Tripathi
Their readings and discussions brought fresh perspectives to timeless themes of
devotion, identity, and creative expression.
The festival also explored the world of craftsmanship and design, with Manish Saksena
presenting the evolution of India’s textile heritage and Ayodhya’s place within that
narrative.
A Festival Rooted in Experience
Timeless Ayodhya was more than just a festival—it was a journey into the soul of a city.
Visitors experienced:
● Exhibitions showcasing regional handicrafts and textiles
● Curated culinary experiencesreflecting local traditions
● Enchanting aarti ceremonies and musical evenings
● Thoughtful panel conversations and book readings
Every moment was carefully designed to celebrate Ayodhya’s spiritual and artistic
essence.
Honouring a City That Lives Through Its Culture
The Timeless Ayodhya: Literature and Arts Festival succeeded in creating a space
where tradition met innovation, and the past conversed with the present. It celebrated
Ayodhya not only as a city of faith but as a living, breathing archive of India’s
civilisational memory—through art, ideas, and soulful expression.
