Virasat

Virasat which literally translates to “heritage.” It is one of the most talked about and awaited fests of Dehradun. It is quite popular among the local populace as well as the tourists, who eye on it. Because it displays the colorful culture of our diverse land. People from far-flung areas visit here. They witness the beauty of the varied cultures that intertwine here.

Virasat has been recognized as the Afro-Asia biggest folk-life and heritage festival. Art and culture connoisseurs must throng here to admire the cultural heritage of India. This mega event is organized by REACH (Rural Entrepreneurship for Art & Cultural Heritage), an NGO and Trust. It is a cultural heritage festival in Dehradun.

History:

Virasat was first held in Dehradun in the year 1995. In 2008, it spread its roots in Delhi and became a nationwide event. In Delhi, the event was launched on 2 September 2008. They organized programs in Delhi and 300 other localities, lasting until December.

Many famous artists added five stars to the event. They entertained the audience with their stellar performances. Some popular artists to perform here over the years are:

• Birju Maharaj
• Pt. Shivkumar Sharma
• T.N. Seshagopalan
• Alarmel Valli
• Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt
• Shovana Narayan
• Pt. Rajan
• Sajan Misra
• Teejan Bai
• Suresh Wadkar

Aim:

Virasat came into being with the motive to bring forth:

• The warm culture
• Art
• Folklife
• And heritage of India.

This ethnic kaleidoscope encapsulates the feisty spirit of the Himalayas. Virasat lures exponents from every nook and cranny of the country. It has become a part of this grandiose, Himalayan cultural fiesta.

What to expect here:

At Virasat, you can savor the rich flavors of different cultures. And these are showcased under one roof. The festival usually lasts for 15 days, which includes performances and workshops in:

• Indian folk and classical arts
• Literature
• Crafts
• Theatre
• Cinema
• Yoga

Legends of Indian Classical music, maestros of dance and ace craftsmen perform here. They are specially invited to partake in the event.

You can shop:

• Handicraft items
• Ethnic weaves
• Tribal jewellery
• Decorative pieces and other collectible items from different states in India.
• From colorful Punjabi Fulkari dupattas, Gujarati mirror-work lehenga-choli to Lac bangles from Rajasthan.

You can buy anything from here that suits your taste. Many distinguished artists and renowned bands from across the country perform here. They make this festival a hit among the music enthusiasts. In past:

• Drona Ganguly
• Shujat Khan
• Wadali Bandhu
• Warsi Brothers
• Peenaz Masani etc. have managed to cast a spell on the audience.

Culture of Uttarakhand is exhibited in full splendour at Virasat:

Virasat is one such event where the diverse culture of Uttarakhand gets a center stage. The varied ethnic groups and tribes perform here. Most of them hail from Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas. They exhibit their culture, dance, and artifacts here.

Folk dance forms, such as:

• Pandav Nritya
• Barada Nati
• Langvir Nritya
• Choliya dance etc. are performed at Virasat by the regional dancers.

Most artists hail from Garhwal, Kumaon and Jaunsar-Bawar region of Uttarakhand. Indigenous food items, such as:

• Grains
• Pulses
• And juices of Himalayan fruits and flowers are also put on sale here.

If you want to know more about:

• The aboriginal Himalayan people of Uttarakhand
• Their lifestyle
• Food habits
• And culture then you shouldn’t miss the opportunity.

Food:

Chill foodaholics, your taste-goblet won’t’ be left untreated here. You can gorge on mouth-watering delicacies from the various food stalls present in the arena. From Indian street food to the flavors of Garhwal and Kumaon.

The tempting aroma of the Pahadi dishes will make you drool. Apart from this, you can also buy the famous food items. And products, sweets from different regions in India at the stalls located here.

Date, Schedule, Timings, and Venue for Virasat 2022, Dehradun:

Date for Virasat 2022: The event was scheduled from 09 October to 23 October 2022 at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Stadium (Kaulagarh Road) in Dehradun. Its over with a great success. After this year, it will be back next year in 2023, which will also be the 28th year of Virasat.

Timings: Timings for Virasat festival 2023 will be updated here.

Venue: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Stadium, Dehradun.

Upcoming Events 2023:

We will update the events and their timings for Virasat festival 2023, Dehradun here.

Get in touch with the Organizers of Virasat:

REACH (Rural Entrepreneurship for Art & Cultural Heritage)        
175/II Vasant Vihar
Dehradun 248007 Uttarakhand.

Phone: 0135-2763618
Email address: [email protected]

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/reachvirasat/

How to reach here:

Virasat comes up with a different theme every year. Scholars from many prestigious institutions are welcomed here. The fair is held at Ambedkar Ground in Kaulagarh, Dehradun. One can easily reach here, either by taking the public transport or by private vehicle.

The distance between Kaulagarh and Dehradun Clock Tower is around 6 km. Local buses and autos run to and from from Kaulagarh to various places in Dehradun. The nearest railway station is located at a distance of 6 km. Jolly Grant airport at 33 km is the closest air connectivity from here.