The 10th India Day: Four Days of Color, Music, and Indian Traditions

From August 14th to 17th, 2025, the Southern Landscape Park “Dream Island” will become the epicenter for all lovers of Indian culture, art, and traditions. It will host the 10th anniversary “India Day” festival, organized by the Indian Cultural and National Center “Sita” with the support of the Government of Moscow, the Department foe External Economic and International Relations, the Department of Culture, the Roscongress Foundation, and the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency. This jubilee event promises to be the largest in the festival’s history, uniting over 25 thematic zones and hundreds of activities designed for visitors of all ages.

Over the course of four days, guests will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of India, exploring its culture, spiritual practices, culinary traditions, and art. The program includes workshops in various disciplines of yoga, meditation, breathing techniques, and sound therapy; seminars on Ayurveda; culinary workshops; and creative sessions on mandala creation. Enthusiasts of mehndi art and Indian astrology can look forward to art therapy meetings and personal consultations.

One of the central events will be the daily celebration of Holi, gathering fans of vibrant dry colors. The Holi zone will feature discos with DJ Rohan, drum shows, and Dandiya Raas dances. For those who appreciate spectacular performances, a grand musical marathon is planned: the main stage will host 413 creative numbers, including 399 dance and 28 vocal performances dedicated to Indian culture, featuring groups from 81 cities across Russia and the world.

On August 17th, guests will witness a costumed journey through Indian traditions—the fashion show “Festivals of India – Color, Culture, and Friendship,” with participation from representatives of various Indian regions residing in Moscow. That same day, the ancient festival of Ratha Yatra will take place: a decorated chariot, accompanied by music, dance, drums, and bells, will proceed along the park’s main alley, while participants distribute tons of fruit—pineapples, mangoes, bananas, and guavas.

An equally popular part of the festival will be the traditional Indian wedding ceremonies. Over 100 couples will perform the ritual of the seven steps around the sacred fire, exchange vows, and receive talismans to protect their marital union. A children’s program is prepared for younger guests, with workshops on tie-dye (bandhani), jewelry making, badge creation, sculpting, and drawing.

The festival fair will bring together over 150 vendors offering spices, jewelry, fabrics, and cosmetics. In 40 restaurant zones, visitors can sample dishes of Indian cuisine, including a special treat—ripe mangoes imported directly from India. The I-YOGA VEDA WEEKEND zone will feature film screenings in a spherical cinema, tea meetings, photo zones, and celebrations of Janmashtami with lectures, dances, and concerts.

Specially for “India Day,” screenings of new Indian cinema releases will commence in 26 Russian cities – the sequel to the cult action film “Fight 2” and the drama-thriller “The Porter” in the original language with Russian subtitles. Furthermore, on August 16th, a rapid chess tournament in memory of A.M. Kadakin, a diplomat and Russia’s Ambassador to India, will be held.

The festival’s anniversary will be marked by the launch of a new Kumbh Mela zone, the presentation of the festival award for the development of Russian-Indian dialogue across 10 categories, and the holding of an all-Russian children’s drawing competition.

Dates: August 14–17, 2025, from 10:00 to 22:00
Location: Southern Landscape Park “Dream Island,” Andropova Avenue, Building 1
Admission is free with registration on the organizer’s website.
The full program is available on the official website: https://indiaday.ru/