Bharat Utsav: Festival of India Set to Light Up Moscow

From July 5 to 13, Moscow’s vibrant Manezhnaya Square—one of the central venues of the Summer in Moscow project—will come alive with the colours, rhythms, and flavours of Bharat Utsav – Festival of India. This immersive cultural celebration offers both residents and visitors of the Russian capital a unique opportunity to explore the rich heritage and traditions of India.

Organised by the Moscow Government in collaboration with the Embassy of India, the festival will transform the square with lush décor, including hundreds of exotic plants. Visitors can explore chalets offering authentic Indian cuisine, traditional handicrafts, and colourful souvenirs that showcase India’s artisanal diversity.

The cultural programme is packed with hundreds of engaging activities and performances. From lively dance masterclasses and Hindi language lessons to captivating stage shows by Russian and Indian ensembles, there’s something to experience every morning and evening.

International artists will also lead creative workshops open to all. Attendees can try their hand at playing the tabla, master classical Indian dance forms like Kathak and Kuchipudi, and delve into basic conversational Hindi. Adding to the cultural immersion, an exhibition of art from various regions of India will be on display throughout the event.

Moscow shares a dynamic and multifaceted partnership with India across sectors—from trade and tourism to creative industries. India is now the second-largest source of non-CIS tourists to the Russian capital. Notably, in the first quarter of 2025 alone, Moscow welcomed around 18,000 Indian travellers—an impressive 1.5-fold increase compared to the same period last year.