Shivam Singh at 10:41, 7 January 2026

2026-01-07T10:41:16Z

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{{for|the pilgrimage in India|Kashi Yatra}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Promotional|date=October 2024}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2024}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| name = Kashiyatra
| native_name = काशीयात्रा
| native_name_lang = hin
| logo =
| dates = 7–9 March 2025
| location = [[Varanasi]]
| website = {{URL|https://kashiyatra.org}}
| frequency = Yearly
| established = 1981
}}

'''Kashiyatra''', also known as '''KY''', is the annual socio-cultural festival of [[Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi]]. It is a four-day long mega event held in January every year, and is one of the most prominent<ref>{{Cite web|title=Most prominent festival of northern India|url=https://www.amarujala.com/tags/kashiyatra|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> college festivals in India. Kashiyatra is one of the largest socio-culture festivals in Asia where 360+ colleges/universities take part.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

Kashiyatra witnesses a large number of participants across the country with having a footfall of 90,000+ participation footfall and organises 60+ events with many Celebrities performances. It provides a definite platform for the participants to showcase youths' talents as well as skills. The festival offers an unprecedented opportunity to meet and interact face to face with a large number of potential and targeted competitors across all the events.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

== History ==

Kashiyatra had its first edition in the year 1981.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Festival details|url=https://www.knowafest.com/college-fests/events/2019/12/0216-kashiyatra-2020-iit-bhu-annual-socio-cultural-festival-varanasi|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> It has been named Sparsh and Spandan in the past. Over the years, Kashiyatra has seen the participation of prominent Indian cultural icons like classical singers [[Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia]], [[Ustad Bismillah Khan]], and singers [[Shubha Mudgal]], [[Shaan (singer)|Shaan]], [[Lucky Ali]], [[Shibani Kashyap]] and [[Javed Ali]]. In 2006, Miss India Earth 2005 [[Niharika Singh]] took part in a fashion show organised as a part of it. Well known bands like [[Parikrama]] and [[Indian Ocean]] too have performed here.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

== Events ==

=== Competitions ===

* '''Abhinay''' (dramatics competition) consists of stage plays, mono-acting, street-play. and mimes<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 January 2013|title=IIT-BHU's 'Kashiyatra' begins today |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/IIT-BHUs-Kashiyatra-begins-today/articleshow/18159556.cms|access-date=21 June 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=सलीम-सुलेमान के धमाल संग पूरी हुई IIT BHU के सांस्कृतिक उत्सव 'काशीयात्रा'|url=https://www.patrika.com/varanasi-news/salim-suleman-blast-in-iit-bhu-cultural-festival-kashiyatra-5666833/|access-date=21 June 2020|website=Patrika News|date=19 January 2020 |language=hindi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Sishir Sharma|url=https://gramho.com/media/1952291000030805340|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref>
* '''Bandish''' (Indian music competition) features singing competitions from across the country including contestants from popular reality shows such as "Indian Idol" and "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa". It encompasses solo, duet and group performance of light and classical Indian and Western vocals.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=YouthInc|date=1 January 2020|title=Kashiyatra 2020 – The Annual Socio-cultural Festival Of IIT Varanasi|url=https://youthincmag.com/kashiyatra-2020|access-date=15 June 2020|website=Youth Incorporated Magazine|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtZ5mg8nYHM|access-date=15 June 2020|website=youtube.com| date=12 January 2018 }}</ref>
* '''Crosswindz''' (rock music competition) fuses an Inter-College Rock Rock Festival with a Professional Rock Band as the final act. In the past, Crosswindz has seen performances such as Parikrama, Indian Ocean, Orange Street etc.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kashiyatra, IIT BHU Varanasi|url=https://www.facebook.com/kashiyatra.IITBHU/posts/2218767884820743|access-date=15 June 2020|website=facebook.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=CROSSWINDZ Kashiyatra17! |url=https://unstop.com/o/crosswindz-kashiyatra17-indian-institute-of-technology-iit-bhubaneswar-20270| date=17 September 2020| access-date=15 June 2020|website=unstop.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Dare2Compete rebrands to Unstop|url=http://bweducation.businessworld.in/article/Dare2Compete-Rebrands-To-Unstop-/27-04-2022-426730/%7C|website=Unstop.com (formerly Dare2Compete)|access-date=2021-05-12}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
* '''Enquizta''' (quiz competition) consists of multiple quizzes. It has hosted some of India's largest quizzes over the years with participation in excess of 5000, by prominent quizmasters such as [[Vikram Joshi]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kashiyatra, IIT BHU Varanasi|url=https://www.facebook.com/kashiyatra.IITBHU/posts/1430418516989021|access-date=15 June 2020|website=facebook.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2 December 2019|title=Major Chandrakant Nair To Be The Quiz Master at Kashiyatra 2020|url=https://duexpress.in/major-chandrakant-nair-to-be-the-quiz-master-at-kashiyatra-2020/|access-date=15 June 2020|website=DU Express|language=en-US}}</ref>
* '''Mirage''' (fashion competition) <ref>{{Cite web|title=IIT BHU का वार्षिकोत्सव काशीयात्रा- 2020: द लोकल ट्रैन और ऋत्विज ने मचाई धूम|url=https://www.patrika.com/varanasi-news/iit-bhu-annual-festival-kashiiyatra-2020-begins-5660306/|access-date=15 June 2020|website=Patrika News|date=18 January 2020 |language=hindi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=काशी यात्राः आईआईटी बीएचयू की छात्राओं ने पारपंरिक परिधानों में किया ऐसा रैंप वॉक, आप भी कहेंगे वाह|url=https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/uttar-pradesh/varanasi/ramp-walk-in-iit-bhu-annual-fest-kashi-yatra|access-date=15 June 2020|website=Amar Ujala|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=IIT BHU का वार्षिकोत्सव : काशीयात्रा-2020 के 38वें संस्करण में 60 हजार लोग होंगे शामिल|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/varanasi-city-60-thousand-people-get-celebrate-in-iit-bhu-19904996.html|access-date=15 June 2020|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=24 January 2013|title=IIT-BHU's 'Kashiyatra' begins today |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/IIT-BHUs-Kashiyatra-begins-today/articleshow/18159556.cms|access-date=15 June 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=BHU IIT में वार्षिक सांस्कृतिक उत्सव काशी यात्रा का आगाज, छात्रों ने बिखेरा जलवा VIDEO|url=https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/varanasi/story-bhu-iit-inaugurates-annual-cultural-festival-kashi-yatra-2964981.html|access-date=15 June 2020|website=livehindustan.com|language=hindi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1 January 2020|title=IIT BHU: ऋितविज डीजे के पॉवर पैक पर्फामेंस ने लोगों को झूमने पर किया मजबूर|url=https://varanasinews.today/varanasi-news/iit-bhu-ritviz-djs-power-pack-performance-forced-people-to-swing/|access-date=15 June 2020|website=Varanasi News|language=en-US|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615151349/https://varanasinews.today/varanasi-news/iit-bhu-ritviz-djs-power-pack-performance-forced-people-to-swing/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''Natraj''' (dance competition) comprises solo, duo and group performances<ref>{{Cite web|title=IIT BHU के वार्षिकोत्सव काशीयात्रा 2020 का ऐलान, तीन दिनों तक फुल मस्ती|url=https://www.patrika.com/varanasi-news/iit-bhu-annual-festival-of-kashi-yatra-declared-5642893/|access-date=15 June 2020|website=Patrika News|date=14 January 2020 |language=hindi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=काशीयात्रा : सामाजिक-सांस्कृतिक उत्सव के लिए तैयार आइआइटी-बीएचयू, देशभर के 350 शिक्षण संस्थानों के छात्र-छात्राओं की होगी जुटान|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/varanasi-city-kashi-yatra-iit-bhu-ready-for-socio-cultural-festival-19937811.html|access-date=15 June 2020|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=15 February 2015|first=Punkhuri|last=Kapoor|title='Valentine & religion' rules IIT-BHU campus |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/Valentine-religion-rules-IIT-BHU-campus/articleshow/46248262.cms|access-date=15 June 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kashiyatra: Latest News, Videos and Photos of Kashiyatra |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Kashiyatra|access-date=15 June 2020|website=The Times of India}}</ref>
* '''Toolika''' (art competition) comprises sculptures, paintings on canvas, mehendi, tattoo and rangoli-making.<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 January 2013|title=Kashiyatra: A journey to creativity and knowledge |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/Kashiyatra-A-journey-to-creativity-and-knowledge/articleshow/18191466.cms|access-date=15 June 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Abhinandan Singh|date=1 January 2015|title=Kashiyatra'XV IIT (BHU) Varanasi – Toolika (fine Arts Event)|url=https://www.slideshare.net/109abhi/kashiyatraxv-nvitation-brochure}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=IIT BHU annual cultural fest Kashiyatra-13 commences|url=http://www.studyguideindia.com/News/Events/News-details.asp?NID=14850&NY=2013|access-date=15 June 2020|website=studyguideindia.com}}</ref>
* '''Samwaad''' (literary competition) comprises debates, extempore speeches, just-a-minute, poetry, and storytelling events.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Samwaad|url=https://issuu.com/iitbhu/docs/samwaad|access-date=15 June 2020|website=Issuu|date=24 December 2013|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=iit bhu varanasi की सबसे ताज़ा खबर|url=https://www.amarujala.com/tags/iit-bhu-varanasi|access-date=15 June 2020|website=Amar Ujala|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=IIT BHU Kashi Yatra-2020:दूसरा दिन रॉक बैंड्स पर थिरके युवा, डीजे अनइवेन ने मचाया धमाल|url=https://www.patrika.com/varanasi-news/iit-bhu-annual-cultural-festival-kashi-yatra-2020-5662070/|access-date=15 June 2020|website=Patrika News|date=18 January 2020 |language=hindi}}</ref>
* '''Model United Nations''' has been held every year since 2013<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 26, 2013|title=Kashiyatra: A journey to creativity and knowledge |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/Kashiyatra-A-journey-to-creativity-and-knowledge/articleshow/18191466.cms|access-date=2020-11-06|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

=== Pronites ===

* '''Antarnaad''' is the final night of Kashiyatra which sees famous artists and bands from the Indian film industry such as [[Lucky Ali]], [[Javed Ali]], [[Indian Ocean]], Underground Authority, [[Parikrama]] etc.
* '''Fusion Nite''' is a creative amalgamation of classical Western and Indian Music which has witnessed the presence of the Dunes of Rajasthan, Rishi Inc and others.
* '''Kavi Sammelan''' is a poetic symposium which has been graced by [[Kumar Vishwas]], Surendra Sharma and others.
* '''Bollywood Night''' is the celebrity performances by most renowned artist like [[Darshan Raval]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Mysticism and magic in the air at Kashiyatra 2023! |url=https://www.groovenexus.com/college-fest/all-about-kashiyatra-2023/ |website=GrooveNexus |access-date=18 November 2024 |archive-date=14 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241114144843/https://www.groovenexus.com/college-fest/all-about-kashiyatra-2023/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Raftar, Amit Trivedi

== References ==
{{reflist}}
__FORCETOC__

{{Indian Institutes of Technology}}

[[Category:Cultural festivals in India]]
[[Category:Indian Institutes of Technology festivals]]
[[Category:Culfests]]
[[Category:1982 establishments in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Festivals established in 1982]]

Kashiyatra - Revision history

Shivam Singh at 10:41, 7 January 2026