Where Music Meets Mindfulness: The Rishikesh Kirtan Festival Experience

The legendary annual Kirtan festival in Rishikesh is a vibrant celebration of music, devotion, and community that I’ve long wanted to experience. This year, by a fortunate twist of fate, I found myself in Rishikesh just as the festival unfolded. Kirtan, a practice of devotional singing, is widely embraced in consciousness festivals across Europe, the Americas, and Southeast Asia. Beyond its religious roots, Kirtan—like Buddhist chanting, church carol singing, or Sufi whirling—uses music to open hearts and invoke the profound “we are one” feeling often echoed in spiritual circles.

At its essence, Kirtan taps into the science of vibrations, aligning us with the universal frequency. When immersed in a chanting setting, our subconscious naturally tunes into this rhythm, leading to a heart-opening experience and a deeper realization of our interconnectedness. While the festival is an ode to devotion, what truly stood out to me—especially through the lens of Sacred Startups—was the inspiring community that powers this event. The festival team includes recovering addicts, retired punk rock artists, and ex-corporate executives who have left behind their old lives to create a space focused on love, healing, and genuine connection.

To learn more, I sat down with Dvija Vara Das, one of the chief organizers of the festival. His own journey, marked by a long battle with depression, mirrors the transformational ethos of the festival itself. Our conversation revealed how this vibrant event came to be, highlighted the incredible diversity of people contributing to its success, and shed light on the powerful mission that drives it forward—bringing love, healing, and spiritual connection to all who attend.

1. What is the main purpose of the festival?

The festival aims to offer visitors an authentic experience of Indian culture and spiritual practices, especially for those from Western countries seeking deeper meaning in life. Through chanting, yoga, talks, and cultural experiences, the festival hopes to transform lives and promote love, spiritual connection, and community.

2. What are some of the key activities and offerings at the festival?

The festival features morning talks on yoga and the Bhagavad Gita, chanting sessions, cultural experiences like saree dressing and henna, astrology readings, and even support groups for those dealing with addiction. The highlight is the free evening feast, prepared with love and offered to all attendees.

3. How do you manage the funding and operations of a free festival?

The festival operates largely through donations and sponsorships. Throughout the year, the team seeks support from individuals who resonate with their mission. Although donation boxes are present, the primary funding comes from those who believe in spreading this spiritual experience.

4. What challenges do you face in running the festival?

The biggest challenge is accommodating the growing number of attendees. The festival’s primary goal is to reach new international visitors, but local interest sometimes limits space availability. Managing this balance and maintaining the festival’s intimate and sweet atmosphere, even with expansion, is a constant struggle.

5. What vision do you hold for the future of the festival?

The ultimate vision is to change people’s hearts, offering them a spiritual experience they can carry into their daily lives. The festival team hopes to inspire attendees to continue exploring spirituality, participate in similar groups globally, and improve their own lives and communities. There is also a dream of possibly finding a larger venue while preserving the festival’s special atmosphere.

The Rishikesh Kirtan Festival, initiated by Indradyumna Swami, a renowned spiritual leader, monk, and traveling preacher within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), promises a transformative experience every year. Known for his charismatic and heartfelt teachings, Indradyumna Swami has dedicated his life to sharing the wisdom of Bhakti Yoga and the timeless philosophy of the Vedic scriptures.

The festival will take place from February 20th to March 25th, 2025, in Rishikesh, offering attendees a unique blend of devotional music, spiritual discourse, and community connection.

For more information, visit the official festival website: rishikeshkirtanfest.com.