Ekta Nagar is buzzing this week. Bharat Parv 2026, the fortnight-long celebration of India’s cultural diversity at Ekta Nagar near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, has already drawn more than 25,000 visitors in its first three days, from 1 to 3 November. Organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism in association with Gujarat Tourism, the festival runs till 15 November, and its early crowds suggest it is becoming one of the season’s favourite family outings.
The idea is simple. Instead of travelling across the country, visitors walk through state tourism pavilions, craft stalls and food counters, and come away with a feel for many Indias in a single afternoon, in the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
A flying start at the Statue of Unity
Ekta Nagar, on the banks of the Narmada in Gujarat, is already a major draw because of the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue. Bharat Parv adds a festival layer to that visit. State and Union Territory pavilions showcase their best-known destinations, traditions, handicrafts and handloom products, so a family planning its next holiday can compare ideas side by side.
For the organisers, the first three days were encouraging. More than 25,000 people visited between 1 and 3 November, a figure reported by Gujarat Tourism and carried by national news agencies. The festival still has ten days to run, including the Diwali vacation period, when family travel usually peaks.
Crafts you can watch being made
The craft section is where Bharat Parv feels most alive, with artisans demonstrating their work in person and selling directly to visitors. Among the traditions on show are Sambalpuri sarees, Pattachitra paintings, applique work and silver filigree from Odisha, Muga silk and Mekhela-Chadar from Assam, Madhubani paintings, Bhagalpur silk and Sikki grass craft from Bihar, Chanderi and Maheshwari sarees and Gond art from Madhya Pradesh, Pashmina and Kani shawls from Jammu and Kashmir, and Pochampally Ikat sarees from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Each of these crafts carries a place, a technique and a community behind it. A Pattachitra scroll is a storytelling tradition, and a Kani shawl is weeks of weaving. When the artisan is standing right there, explaining the work, the purchase feels personal in a way online shopping rarely does.
A food trail across 25 stalls
If crafts are the heart of Bharat Parv, food is its loudest celebration. Twenty-five food stalls represent different states, and the menu reads like a road trip. From Bihar come Litti Chokha and Thekua, from Rajasthan Dal Baati and Pyaz Kachori, from Madhya Pradesh Gajak and Ratlam Sev, from West Bengal Jhalmuri and Patisapta Pitha, from Sikkim Veg Momo and Sel Roti, and from Kashmir Nadru Yakhni and Zafrani Kahwa.
Stalls from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Sikkim, Assam, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Gujarat, among others, complete the spread. Daily live cooking demonstrations add to the experience. Studio Kitchens operated by IIHM Shimla and IIHM Gandhinagar show visitors how regional dishes are actually cooked, from the choice of ingredients to the final plating, which makes the food section useful for home cooks as well as hungry visitors.
A good way to enjoy it is to share small portions across three or four states instead of one large meal at a single stall, leaving room for a sweet and a hot drink at the end.
Evenings, performances and planning your visit
As the day cools, the festival shifts gear. Cultural performances by artists from different states are organised every evening, with folk music and traditional dance taking the stage: pavilions in the afternoon, food as the sun sets, and a performance to end the evening.
Visitors planning a trip should keep a few basics in mind:
- Dates: Bharat Parv 2026 runs from 1 to 15 November 2026 at Ekta Nagar, near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.
- Getting there: Ekta Nagar is well connected by road and rail, and many visitors combine the festival with a Statue of Unity visit.
- Best time to visit: Late afternoon works well, with pavilions first, food in the evening and a cultural performance to finish.
- What to carry: Comfortable walking shoes, a water bottle, a cloth bag for craft purchases, and a light layer for the evening.
- Monday note: The Statue of Unity stays open on Monday, 9 November, but its viewing gallery remains closed that day.
With ten days still to go, the festival’s early numbers point to a strong finish. For travellers looking for a Diwali-season outing that mixes sightseeing, shopping and food, Ekta Nagar this week offers all three in one place.
FAQs
When is Bharat Parv 2026 being held?
From 1 to 15 November 2026 at Ekta Nagar, near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.
Who is organising the festival?
The Union Ministry of Tourism, in association with Gujarat Tourism.
How many visitors came in the first three days?
More than 25,000 visitors between 1 and 3 November, according to Gujarat Tourism.
What food is available at Bharat Parv?
Twenty-five food stalls serve regional dishes from states including Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim and Kashmir.
Is the Statue of Unity open on Monday, 9 November?
Yes, it remains open that day for the Diwali vacation period, though only the viewing gallery is closed.
Bharat Parv 2026 is open till 15 November. If you go, take your time, talk to the artisans, taste across states, and stay for an evening show.
