The Sacred River Festival 2025
A festival of the Indian classical artforms on the banks of the sacred river Narmada
The Sacred River Festival
2025
A festival of the Indian classical artforms on
the banks of the sacred river Narmada
A Confluence of History & Art
This February, Ahilya Fort is delighted to present the 22nd annual Sacred River Festival.
Presented by The Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Charitable Memorial Trust and Ms. Mary McFadden, this unique cultural event offers guests four days of immersion in India’s rich performing culture, with examples of the vocal, instrumental, and dance idioms.
Mornings have intimate lecture demonstrations with interaction between our moderator, Anjana Rajan, the artists, and resident guests. Evening performances are set in the beautiful environments of Maheshwar’s river bank ghats, temples, and fort battlements.
A Confluence of History & Art
This February, Ahilya Fort is delighted to present the 22nd annual Sacred River Festival. Presented by The Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Charitable Memorial Trust and Ms. Mary McFadden, this unique cultural event offers guests four days of immersion in India’s rich performing culture, with examples of the vocal, instrumental, and dance idioms.
Mornings have intimate lecture demonstrations with interaction between our moderator, Anjana Rajan, the artists, and resident guests. Evening performances are set in the beautiful environments of Maheshwar’s river bank ghats, temples, and fort battlements.
Words from Our Director
Prince Richard Shivajirao Holkar
Over the last 21 years, The Sacred River Festival has presented a broad range of artists from all over India. This year we have chosen younger artistes from the State of Madhya Pradesh, wishing to give them the opportunity to share their art with our guests at Ahilya Fort and the citizens of Maheshwar.
Words From Our Director
Prince Richard Shivajirao Holkar
Over the last 21 years, The Sacred River Festival has presented a broad range of artists from all over India. This year we have chosen younger artistes from the State of Madhya Pradesh, wishing to give them the opportunity to share their art with our guests at Ahilya Fort and the citizens of Maheshwar.
Words from Past Artists
Everyone involved with this festival has curated this program with much affection.
Amir Khan
(Sarod Artist)
SRF’24
It’s been an amazing and magical experience to perform by the Ghats of Narmada
Satyendra Singh Solanki
(Santoor Artist)
SRF’24
As an artist it was a beautiful moment to perform at the courtyard of the Abode of Lord Shiva near the sacred riverbed of Narmada.
Guruvayoor Dr T V Manikandan
(Carnatic Vocalist)
SRF’17
Performing on the banks of River Narmada with the Ahilya Fort as the backdrop, transported me to a different time and space.
Deepa Chakravarthy
(Mohiniyattam Dancer)
SRF’20
I loved the idea of artists being given a theme to work on. It was unifying and at the same time challenging.
Rama Sundar Ranganathan
(Hindustani Vocals – Indore Gharana)
SRF’20
Everywhere you see, every which way you think, there is something very beautiful, full of friendship & compassion.
Anjana Rajan
(Curator & Compère)
SRF’25
Words from Past Artists
Everywhere you see, every which way you think, there is something very beautiful, full of compassion.
Anjana Rajan
(Curator & Compère)
SRF’25
Everyone involved with this festival has curated this program with much affection.
Amir Khan
(Sarod Artist)
SRF’24
It was a beautiful moment to perform at the abode of Lord Shiva near the sacred riverbed of Narmada.
Guruvayoor Dr T V Manikandan
(Carnatic Vocalist)
SRF’17
Performing on the banks of Narmada with the Ahilya Fort as the backdrop, transported me to a different time.
Deepa Chakravarthy
(Mohiniyattam Dancer)
SRF’20
I loved the idea of artists being given a theme to work on. It was unifying and at the same time challenging.
Rama Sundar Ranganathan
(Hindustani Vocals – Indore Gharana)
SRF’20
It’s been an amazing and magical experience to perform by the Ghats of Narmada
Satyendra Singh Solanki
(Santoor Artist)
SRF’24
Reserve Your Seat For SRF’25
Fill in your details in the form below to stay informed about SRF’25 updates.
Reserve Your Seat For SRF’25
Fill in your details in the form below to stay informed about SRF’25 updates.