Honouring Renowned Poet Kalidas At The Kalidas Festival

This event is a celebration of India’s ancient literary heritage and one of its most famous and respected creators – Kalidas. The Kalidas Festival, held in Ramtek in the Nagpur district, is a literary and cultural festival and is scheduled to take place in the month of November. Celebrating the life and works of the literary giant Kalidas who wrote some of his most famous pieces of work here, the event promises two days of an extraordinary cultural bonanza.

A Cultural Show at the Kalidas Festival. Photo Credit: Sheetalsaini / flickr

Kalidas Festival

The Kalidas Festival is organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and the Nagpur District Collectorate in the tranquil and beautiful town of Ramtek (earlier known as Ramgiri). The beauty and serenity of this place, which appears in some of his masterpieces, is also said to have inspired the poet to create his literary wonder Meghdootam. The festival aims to not only bring the works of Kalidas into the mainstream and honour them, but also promote the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, which has long been known for its natural beauty, wildlife reserves as well as hordes of natural resources. The two-day long festival showcases a variety of cultural events including music and dance performances as well as drama. Well known theatre artists and performers from across the country come here to perform and the event usually pulls large crowds to the otherwise quiet and non-descript town of Ramtek. One can expect soul stirring classical music renditions, instrumental music and a number of plays.

Ramdham

Besides the Kalidas Festival, visitors to Ramtek must not forget to visit Ramdham. Considered to be India’s largest cultural and spiritual park, it houses all Hindu deities under one roof. The resort organises regular puppet shows, folk dances and other entertainment for guests.

Tadoba Tiger Reserve is one of India's 41 "Project Tiger" Tiger Reserves. Photo Credit: Dr Caesar Photography / flickr

Visiting Vidarbha

The Vidarbha region of Maharashtra comprises the Nagpur and Amravati districts and is a tribal, agricultural and mineral stronghold. Its lush green forests and hills teem with wildlife and the region boasts several wildlife sanctuaries and Project Tiger reserves. The region also contains India’s oldest National Park, the Tadoba Tiger Reserve which not only has a large tiger population, but also several leopards, sloth bears, civets and jungle cats as well as a rich diversity of aquatic birds. Not as renowned as some other reserves such as Ranthambore in Rajasthan, the Tadoba Tiger Reserve is well off the tourist track and does not attract large crowds, making it a perfect holiday spot, especially for those looking to get away from the crowds. What’s more, the reserve is open all year round.

Getting There

Ramtek can easily be approached by bus and private cab from Nagpur, “the Orange City”. There are buses that ply from Nagpur and Mumbai. Nagpur also has an airport and railway station. Book your hotel and flights only on MakeMyTrip.com.