Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh

The Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh is one of the most revered festivals of Indian classical music and dance. It takes place annually within the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in Varanasi. Established in 1923 by Pandit Amar Nath Mishra, a noted Pakhawaj player, the festival was later nurtured and expanded by the late Mahant Veer Bhadra Mishra, former high priest of the temple and scholar of Banaras Hindu University. Traditionally held during Hanuman Jayanti, the festival typically lasts five or six consecutive nights. 

This festival is unique for its non-commercial nature. Musicians and dancers from across the country perform without remuneration as a form of Haazri, meaning spiritual attendance or a gift to the deity. It is a rare platform where both Hindustani Classical Music and Carnatic Music are celebrated with equal fervour. Over the decades, legendary figures such as Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Smt. Girija Devi and Pandit Kelucharan Mohapatra have been regular participants. The stage also features classical dance forms, including Kathak, Odissi, and Bharatanatyam. 

The atmosphere of the samaroh authentically reflects the cultural heritage of the Banaras Gharana. There are no tickets or reserved seating, so the public can sit in the temple courtyard and experience classical art alongside connoisseurs. Performances usually begin after evening prayers and continue through the night until early morning. In 2023, the festival celebrated its Centenary Year, denoting a century of uninterrupted tradition and service to the classical arts.