Royal Enfield Social Mission has revealed the full lineup for the second edition of Journeying Across The Himalayas, a week-long multidisciplinary festival focused on the cultural and natural heritage of the Himalayan region. Scheduled from 4 to 10 December 2025 at Travancore Palace in New Delhi, the event adopts the theme “Ours to Tell,” emphasizing stories, identities, and resilience shared by Himalayan communities through exhibitions, performances, workshops, and dialogues. Tickets are available on BookMyShow.
The festival features immersive installations and exhibitions that highlight regional crafts, sustainability, and traditions. Key highlights include Sumant Jayakrishnan’s interactive installation “Bridging Spaces; Living Roots!” using recycled materials to depict Meghalaya’s root bridges; Dhruvi Acharya’s “Crown” sculpture from motorcycle parts as part of the Helmets for India initiative; Julie Kagti’s “Echoes of the East” on Northeast India’s endangered languages and textiles; and Prachi Joshi’s “Hub of Many Heart(h)s” with pavilions on tourism, conservation, and circularity. Other exhibits encompass the Material Library of India’s exploration of Himalayan material culture, Chris Lefteri’s Materials Lab on design innovation, an immersive display on Ladakhi Pashmina, and a live Sand Mandala by Namgyal Monastery monks symbolizing compassion. The Himalayan Fellowship showcase presents works by artists such as Arieno Kera, Tsetan Angmo, and Nabi, while Aranyani’s “Sacred Nature” installation merges art, ecology, and spirituality.
Culinary experiences draw from Himalayan foodways, including Avantika Haflongbar’s session on Dimasa traditions from Assam, Kunzes Angmo’s “Stendel” on Ladakhi cuisine, Yash Saxena’s “Sarai Kargil” on Kargili survival stories, and Dalarympei Sabrina Kharmawphlang’s “U Siej” on Meghalaya’s bamboo-based dishes. Workshops cover creative skills and environmental awareness, such as Dhruv Sehgal’s fiction writing fundamentals, Peeyush Sekhsaria’s game-based conservation activities, Manveer Singh’s “Art for Nature” using plastic waste, and Milimeter’s clay narratives inspired by Himalayan stories.
Performances span music, dance, and theatre with an intergenerational lineup from the region. Notable acts include Lou Majaw, Rudy Wallang, and Joi Barua in a debut collaboration; Mizoram’s blues band EvenFlow; Uttarakhand’s folk revivalists Pandavaas; Arunachal Pradesh’s Chorun Mugli; and Girish & The Chronicles’ rock set. Traditional elements feature Aji Lhamu dance, Balti Ghazals, Thoda Archery Dance, and contemporary folk-rock by Gauley Bhai and Buland Himalay. Film screenings from 5 to 10 December present Dharamshala International Film Festival’s “DIFF On the Road” selection on sustainability and heritage.
Dialogues and discussions address sustainable tourism, climate resilience, and cultural practices, with panel sessions, spotlight stories, and roundtables involving thought leaders. The Himalayan Bazaar offers crafts, textiles, and authentic dishes curated by Puneeta Chadha Khanna, fostering direct engagement with artisans. Bidisha Dey, Executive Director of Eicher Group Foundation, described the festival as a platform for diverse narratives and community empowerment.
Athmaja Biju is the Editor at Abir Pothi. She is a Translator and Writer working on Visual Culture.
