Madhya Pradesh Gears Up For Khajuraho Dance Festival 2022 With An Adventurous Itinerary

A highly-anticipated annual event, the Khajuraho Dance Festival is known to merge the beauty of age-old Indian art forms with the architectural glory of Madhya Pradesh. This year marks the 48th edition of the festival and will take place from February 20-26. Here’s what you can expect from the event. By Eshita Srinivas

Every year, the ancient temples of Khajuraho and their intricate carvings come to life through the Khajuraho Dance Festival, which features traditional performances from around the country. In association with Madhya Pradesh Tourism, the event for this year is being organised by Ustad Allaudin Khan Sangeet Evam Kala Akademi. The festival will be streamed live, but for those who wish to experience it first hand, there are a host of activities in store.

Dance performances and art exhibitions in store for the Khajuraho Dance Festival

Where heritage comes to life
Take a break from everyday monotony and plan an inspiring and exciting break at the Khajuraho Dance Festival
For more details about activities & tours during KDF, visit https://t.co/IOKfgfdJAz#HuesofMP #mptourism #khajurahodancefestival #Khajuraho pic.twitter.com/768cTVIdW4

— Madhya Pradesh Tourism (@MPTourism) February 15, 2022

The seven-day event will be inaugurated by Governor Mangubhai Patel. Other officials in attendance include Om Prakash Sakhleca, from the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Usha Thakur, Madhya Pradesh Spiritual, Culture and Tourism Minister, Times of India reports. The event will begin with kathak performances by disciples of Pandit Birju Maharaj. Also on the cards are Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, and Kathakali dance dramas by professionals.

Award ceremonies, including The National Kalidas Award for dance and Madhya Pradesh State Rupankar Art Award, will be conducted along with a series of art exhibitions showcasing the diversity of India as well as indigenous, tribal cultures. Those heading to the event can also watch several films on art, tradition, and artists which will be screened over the course of the week.

Guided tours and water sports add to the allure of the event

Enjoy the bliss of village life!
When in Khajuraho for the 48th edition of Khajuraho Dance Festival, enjoy the idyllic rural life preserved in Old Khajuraho Village.
Start your journey from Vamana Temple and halt at Jawari and Brahama temples. pic.twitter.com/lcDC7yn7TR

— Madhya Pradesh Tourism (@MPTourism) February 16, 2022

In addition to the dance performances and exhibitions, the government has planned a host of tourism activities for visitors. Included here is a heritage run to explore all the different UNESCO World Heritage Sites and monuments of cultural significance in the region through a five, 10, and 21-kilometre run. Water sports like speed boat rides, banana rides, shikara boat rides, and river rafting are on offer. As is an e-bike tour that will take you through the region. That’s not all, visitors can stay in glamping tents in Jinna village and indulge in live music, stargazing treks to the hill of Panna, night jungle safari, and boat safari.

Visitors can also explore the countryside and town on a guided segway tour through demarcated lanes that explore regions beyond the main temple area. You get to pick between tours that go from sunrise to sunset — the former takes people to the Datla hill, while the latter is a joyride through the city. A third tour covers all the landmarks of the region. In addition to this, Bundeli cuisine will take centre stage.

The event will be telecasted live on the YouTube channel of the Culture Department as well as the Facebook page of the Khajuraho Dance Festival, as per a news report by APN News.

For further information, visit here. 

Feature and hero image: Khajurao Dance Festival

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