Vedaaranya Heritage Festival Marks Decade of Cultural Renaissance in Rajasthan
The 10th edition of the Vedaaranya Heritage and Healing Festival (VHAH Fest) concluded on January 26, 2026, after five immersive days that celebrated art, dialogue, music, and cultural exchange across the historic town of Ramgarh Shekhawati in Rajasthan. This milestone edition, held from January 22 to 26, unfolded across the region's magnificent havelis, frescoed walls, chhatris, stepwells, and the iconic Ramgarh Fort, reinforcing Shekhawati's status as India's largest open-air art gallery and a historic center of Sanskrit learning and Ayurvedic medicine, once renowned as Doosra Kashi.
Organizational Excellence and Global Partnerships
Organized by MOHAR (Museum of Heritage and Art at Ramgarh), a unit of the Shruti Foundation, in collaboration with UNESCO, INTACH Shekhawati Chapter, Rajasthan Tourism, Birla Institute of Nursing, and SDM Memorial School, Ramgarh, the festival commemorated a decade of sustained cultural revival in the region. Additional support came from UNESCO, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Incredible India, and the Rajasthan Foundation. Notably, Ramgarh Shekhawati was historically recognized for having the highest per capita income in the world in 1900, adding a unique economic heritage dimension to the festivities.
Women in Heritage: The 2026 Festival Theme
VHAH Fest is an initiative envisioned and led by Shruti Nada Poddar, Founder of the Shruti Foundation and Convener of INTACH Shekhawati Chapter, whose long-term dedication has been pivotal in reimagining and revitalizing Shekhawati. The 2026 edition's theme, Women in Heritage, anchored the festival's programming, highlighting the crucial role of women in shaping cultural memory. The festival commenced with a prestigious UNESCO panel on this theme, led by Tim Curtis, Head of UNESCO South Asia, and moderated by Dr. Alka Pande. The panel featured distinguished voices including H.H. Ranisa Kadambari Jadeja, Ila Arun, Dr. Rama Pandey, Dr. Alka Pande, Priyanka Solanki, Shruti Nada Poddar, and Tarun Thakral, exploring women's contributions to heritage, arts, and culture in India and beyond.
Cultural Highlights and Artistic Performances
The festival showcased a rich tapestry of cultural events. A grand musical evening by Ila Arun at Ramgarh Fort captivated audiences, while the fort also hosted The Descent of Shakti, a powerful dance production conceptualized by artist-curator Gauri Sharma Tripathi and Tarini Tripathi. Attendees experienced Dastaan Goi on the life of Meena Kumari, performed by Fouzia Daastango, and the Grand Archway Gallery at Mohar Haveli presented Raja Ravi Varma's Women in Art and their Influence on the Indian Mind, graced by Raja Rama Varma, a descendant of the legendary artist.
Other notable performances included Chant and Cello, a spiritual and classical collaboration by Maestro Saskia Rao de Haas and Lady Shruti Nada Poddar at the historic Sethani Ka Johad in Churu, followed by folk performances by Manganiyar musicians and the Kalbeliya community, recognized as UNESCO intangible heritage. Irish artists Siobhan Molloy and Jack Warnock performed in the candlelit courtyard of Mohar Haveli, creating a unique east-west musical dialogue with Shekhawati's folk rhythms.
Healing Traditions and Interactive Sessions
Healing traditions remained central to the festival's ethos. Visitors engaged in interactive sessions led by Vaidya Chandanmal Swami, while Mind, Mood and Food with Vidhi Beri explored emotional and nutritional intelligence. Heritage walks through Ramgarh's painted architecture, intimate candlelit evenings, and shared meals fostered meaningful exchanges among artists, craftspersons, healers, designers, and cultural leaders from India and abroad.
Workshops, Launches, and Culmination
Over five days, the festival featured workshops on traditional crafts, formal inaugurations, book launches, performances, and conversations. Key highlights included:
- The launch of the Haveli Owners Conservation Handbook, edited by Shruti Nada Poddar and published by MOHAR.
- Awards honoring local achievers for their contributions to heritage preservation.
- The launch of Devi and Her Avataars by Dr. Alka Pande.
- The release of Ila Arun's autobiography Parde Ke Peechhey.
The festival culminated with Taal Fry, a high-energy percussion ensemble blending North and South Indian musical traditions, followed by a celebratory farewell that left attendees inspired.
Vision for the Future
Speaking ahead of the festival, Shruti Nada Poddar emphasized that Ramgarh Shekhawati is a living heritage civilization, not merely a venue. She shared that the dream of VHAH Fest has always been to revive this extraordinary region and bring its creativity, wisdom, and healing traditions back into public consciousness. She added that the tenth anniversary edition celebrates women and the feminine who have shaped heritage through the ages, in both visible and invisible ways, envisioning Shekhawati as a Habitat of the Future.
Conceived as a living museum, Mohar Haveli offers an immersive experience through its frescoed walls, sunlit courtyards, curated art collections, and thoughtfully prepared local cuisine, positioning Ramgarh as a destination to be lived and experienced, not just visited.
Honoring Tradition and Looking Ahead
Honoring Raas, Rang, and Reet—celebration, color, and tradition—VHAH Fest continues to invite audiences to witness and participate in the artistic ecology of Ramgarh Shekhawati. As restored havelis and cultural spaces reopen to the world, the region stands poised for a renewed future shaped by community creativity, heritage, and healing, ensuring its legacy endures for generations to come.
