Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, Pune
The Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav is held every December at the Maharashtriya Mandal Krida Sankul in Mukundnagar, Pune, and the dates for the 2026 edition, the 72nd, had not been announced when we checked in mid-October 2026. Recent editions have run for five days from Wednesday to Sunday: the 71st from 10 to 14 December 2025 and the 70th from 18 to 22 December 2024, so the second or third week of December is the window to keep free. The festival is the best-known gathering in Hindustani classical music. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and the Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal began it in 1953 in memory of his guru, the Kirana gharana vocalist Sawai Gandharva, and after Joshi's death in 2011 it was renamed to carry his name; his son Shrinivas Joshi now leads it. Each day brings several vocal and instrumental recitals, and occasionally dance, in a vast pandal with floor seating in front and chairs behind. By tradition it closes with a recording of Sawai Gandharva singing a Bhairavi thumri. Sessions are normally required to end by 10 pm. In 2025, tickets went on sale on 1 December at outlets across Pune.
No listings right now.
Listings for this usually appear a few weeks before the dates — we add them every morning. Meanwhile: this weekend · free events · today
Good to know
- Watch for the date and artist announcement in the weeks before December, and buy early. Season tickets cover all days.
- Floor seating (Bharatiya baithak) is unreserved. Regulars queue well before the gates open to sit near the stage.
- Carry a shawl and, for the floor, a cushion. December evenings in an open pandal are cold.
- Take the Purple Line to Swargate and an auto to Mukundnagar; parking in the surrounding lanes is very limited.
- Keep your phone silent and avoid moving about during a recital; this audience listens closely.
Frequently asked questions
When is Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav 2026?
The dates had not been announced when we checked in mid-October 2026. The festival is held in December; the last two editions ran from 10 to 14 December 2025 and 18 to 22 December 2024.
Where is the festival held?
At the Maharashtriya Mandal Krida Sankul in Mukundnagar, Pune, its venue since 2018.
Who organises the Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav?
The Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal, founded by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. The festival began in 1953 in memory of his guru, Sawai Gandharva.
How do I get tickets?
Tickets are sold at outlets across Pune and online once sales open. For the 2025 festival, sales began on 1 December, nine days before the first session.
What time do the sessions end?
Performances are required to finish by 10 pm. Day-wise start times are published with the programme.
The weekend, sorted.
Every Thursday: the 10 best things to do in Pune this weekend, the free stuff, and what to book before it sells out. Join readers across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
You're in — look out for Thursday's email. 🎉