KĀPHAL FESTIVAL 2026
A Confluence of Culture and Conservation
The Kāphal Festival 2026 is a landmark eco-cultural gathering rooted in the sacred landscape of Sārī and Devriyātāl. Organized under the Himalayan Folk Festival initiative, this three-day event is designed as a direct response to the ecological and cultural challenges facing the Uttarakhand region, such as forest fires, waste tourism, and cultural dilution.
Schedule:
Pre-Festival Residential Program for Villagers
Dates: 18–23 March 2026 | 5–6 Days Community Program
Collaborator: Waste Warriors Society
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Focus:
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Waste Management Training
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Zero-Waste Systems Setup
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Activities:
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Volunteer Orientation
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Community Clean-up Drives
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Sustainability Awareness Workshops
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Activities
Day 01: Friday, 20 March 2026
The Arrival & Awareness The festival begins by grounding participants in the serene landscape of Sārī, focusing on physical wellness and local craftsmanship.
🌅 Morning
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7:00 – 8:00 AM — Yoga & Wellness Session: A collective session at sunrise to energize the body and calm the mind in harmony with the Himalayas.
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10:00 AM Onwards — Art & Craft Activities: Hands-on workshops in Painting, and Local Crafts to preserve indigenous artistic traditions.
- 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM — Traditional Tug of War (Rassa Kassi): A spirited community sports activity bringing together visitors and natives in a display of unity.
🌞 Afternoon
- 1:00 – 2:00 PM — Day 01 Felicitation Ceremony: Honoring the local community and contributors who make this rural gathering possible.
- 2:30 – 4:30 PM — Environmental & Community Panel Discussion (Guests, Moderator & Village Representatives): An expert-led session focusing on forest fire prevention, waste management, and sustainable grassroots solutions.
🌆 Evening
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4:30 – 5:15 PM — Opening Evening Performance: A powerful musical introduction to Uttarakhand’s folk heritage by Smt. Rameshwari Bhatt.
- 5:15 – 6:15 PM — Show Stopper: Energetic and spiritual musical performance by Dhari Devi Band.
🌌 Night
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8:00 – 10:00 PM — Astro Observation & Workshop: Exploring the pristine, unpolluted night skies of Rudraprayag.
Day 02: Saturday, 21 March 2026
Action & Environmental Dialogue Focusing on the “Action” pillar, this day combines high-altitude endurance with critical discussions on Himalayan sustainability.
🌅 Morning
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7:00 – 8:00 AM — Yoga & Wellness Session: Continued morning mindfulness for all participants.
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8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon — Forest Run 21.1 — Kāphal Half Marathon: A challenging fitness run through the mountain terrain to promote health and eco-tourism.
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10:00 AM onwards — Art & Craft Activities: Ongoing native-led workshops in Painting, and Crafts.
🌞 Afternoon
- 2:00 – 3:00 PM — Day 02 Felicitation: Recognizing the athletes and ecological activists of the day.
- 3:15 – 4:15 PM — Kavi Sammelan: An enriching literary gathering celebrating pure Garhwali expression through poetry and satire.
🌆 Evening
- 4:30 – 5:00 PM — Opening Performance: Young talented artist Kartikey Uniyal showcasing the evolving journey of Himalayan music.
- 5:15 – 6:15 PM — Show stopper: Melodious musical magic by Sankalp Khetwal.
🌌 Night
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8:00 – 10:00 PM — Astro Observation & Workshop: Technical learning and celestial observation.
Day 03: Sunday, 22 March 2026
Community Unity & Celebration The final day emphasizes community sports and traditional storytelling, culminating in a conscious musical celebration.
🌅 Morning
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7:00 – 8:00 AM — Yoga & Wellness Session: A final collective session for internal harmony.
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8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon — Forest Ride Enduro — Kāphal MTB Challenge: A native-led adventure ride returning to Sārī by noon, promoting eco-friendly adventure.
- 10:00 AM onwards — Art & Craft Activities: Ongoing native-led workshops in Painting, and Crafts.
🌞 Afternoon
- 1:30 – 2:30 PM — Day 03 Felicitation & Closing Ceremony: Final honors for the local entrepreneurs and volunteers.
🌆 Closing Evening
- 2:30 – 4:00 PM — Show Opener Performance: Setting the stage for the festival finale by Pahadi Boiz (Saksham Dhyani, Mr. Tarun Bisht, Ghildiyal, Aakas Raturi, Arti Mudela, Shadow Evergreen, Flawed and Rakesh Manral).
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4:15 – 6:15 PM — Grand Finale by Pandavaas: A powerful, conscious musical experience rooted in Himalayan identity to conclude the festival
