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Bhopal : Additional Chief Secretary Culture, Home and Religious Trust and Endowments Shiv Shekhar Shukla said that the sacred land of Madhya Pradesh is ready to spread the fragrance of art and culture on the world stage once again. The 52nd edition of ‘Khajuraho Dance Festival’, one of the most prestigious events of Indian classical dance, is being organized from 20 to 26 February, 2026. Held in the glorious backdrop of the famous Western Group of Temples complex of World Heritage Site Khajuraho, this year too the festival will enthrall the art lovers with its exquisite dance performances, innovations and new dimensions. Under the able guidance of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the Culture Department is continuously making meaningful efforts to preserve and propagate the rich cultural heritage, folk traditions and classical arts. The aim of the department is to provide new heights to the cultural identity of Madhya Pradesh by taking this vibrant tradition to the masses.
Khajuraho dance festival is actually a living practice of Indian classical dance tradition, where a wonderful confluence of history, spirituality and beauty takes place. Held in the courtyards of grand temples, this ceremony reifies the dance as not just a stage performance but as a sacred cultural ritual. This year the central theme of the festival has been ‘Nataraja’, which is considered a symbol of spiritual consciousness, rhythm and creative energy of Indian dance. Classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam will be presented on the stage with their traditional dignity and scriptures. The grandeur of the ceremony can be gauged from the fact that this year, along with veteran artists who have received 7 Padma and 6 Sangeet Natak Akademi awards of the country, emerging young artists will also showcase their talent. It is a special effort of the department to provide more opportunities to the new generation artists.
Many innovations will be seen in the ceremony this year. For the first time, a ‘cultural rally’ will be organized on the streets of Khajuraho, which will kick off the celebrations on February 20. In this rally, artists of different genres will tour the city in traditional costumes and reach the main venue. ‘National Khajuraho Children’s Dance Festival’ has also been given a national form. Organized with the aim of providing a platform to child artistes in the age group of 10 to 16 years, 310 applications have been received from 23 states of the country for this festival, which includes 136 applications from Kathak and 106 applications from Bharatnatyam. These young artists will be selected by senior art gurus and their performance will be held on a special stage in the fair premises.
To make the celebration more inclusive, ‘Khajuraho Carnival’ is being launched for the first time this year. In this carnival to be organized at Shilp Gram, artists from 10 states will showcase their folk arts, folk dances and traditional crafts. Besides, competitions of classical and sub-classical dances will also be organized during the carnival. ‘Kalavarta’ will be organized for intellectual dialogue, where artists will discuss the temple architecture and art traditions of Khajuraho. Through ‘Layshala’, students will learn the intricacies of technical aspects of dance from eminent gurus. At the same time, contemporary Indian painting will be directly displayed and sold in ‘Art-Mart’ and traditional craft techniques in ‘Srijan and Hunar’. Food lovers will be able to enjoy the tribal and regional cuisines of Madhya Pradesh in the ‘Swad’ exhibition.
This time the Tourism Department has made special arrangements to double the thrill of the tourists. There will be an opportunity to know the rural culture closely through activities like E-Bike Tour, Segway Tour and Village Tour. Adventure tourism lovers can go camping at Jhinna and Madla near Panna National Park and enjoy nature walks under ‘Walk with Pardhi’. Kutni Island also has arrangements for water sports like speed boat and shikara boat ride. To promote local art, direct display stalls of terracotta, Bundeli painting and bead jewelery will be set up. Overall, this festival will become a unique platform of dance, craft, dialogue and tourism which will further strengthen the cultural identity of Madhya Pradesh at the global level.
Khajuraho Mahotsav is being organized by the Culture Department in collaboration with Ustad Alauddin Khan Academy of Music and Arts, Archaeological Survey of India, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department and District Administration Chhatarpur.
