“Sparsh Himalaya Festival” to be held in Thano (Dehradun) from November 3–5, 2025 – where literature, culture, and nature will merge to script a new creative saga
By Dr. Satyawan Saurabh
Nestled in the serene valleys of Uttarakhand, Thano village has today emerged as a new beacon of literature and culture. This is the land where the discipline of words and the energy of creation flow together in harmony. India’s first-ever ‘Writer’s Village’, established here, is no longer just a project—it has become a movement, a revolution that connects writers, poets, thinkers, and artists with the true source of their creativity — nature and the self.
🔹 The Vision of a Monastery of Words
The concept of a Writer’s Village is as unique as it is inspiring. The visionary behind this idea is Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, eminent educationist, and celebrated litterateur.
Dr. Nishank realized that in the chaos of the modern world, today’s writers and thinkers are deprived of the creative solitude essential for true literary expression. From this realization was born the idea of the Writer’s Village — a place where words could breathe freely, ideas could take flight, and creators could find themselves anew.
Located close to Dehradun, Thano was chosen for its spiritual serenity — nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, surrounded by lush greenery, rivers, and tranquil silence. Its natural beauty has the power to awaken dormant emotions within any creator.
🔹 A Grand Celebration: Sparsh Himalaya Festival – 2024
In October 2024, when the Sparsh Himalaya Foundation organized the Sparsh Himalaya Festival, Thano became the focal point of attention not just in India, but around the world.
It was more than just a festival — it was a magnificent confluence of literature, art, and culture.
Over 65 countries participated in the five-day international event, where authors, poets, artists, and intellectuals shared their creations and exchanged ideas. Many expressed their deep admiration for Hindi and Indian cultural heritage.
The festival proved that Hindi and Indian culture continue to inspire and captivate globally. It reaffirmed India’s status as a spiritual and cultural powerhouse and set the tradition of hosting this literary dialogue every year in Thano.
🔹 November 3–5, 2025: A New Chapter in Literary History
The literary world now eagerly awaits Sparsh Himalaya Festival – 2025, to be held once again in Thano from November 3 to 5, 2025.
This year, the event will be even grander — bringing together more writers, poets, translators, filmmakers, musicians, and artists from India and abroad.
The theme for 2025 is “From Word to World: Dialogue of Cultures.” This theme underscores the universal role of literature in bridging civilizations and promoting cultural understanding.
Special sessions will focus on the global expansion of Hindi literature, youth creativity, and digital-era authorship. The festival aims to connect established voices with emerging talent, creating a bridge between tradition and innovation.
🔹 A Paradise for Creators
Every structure in the Writer’s Village reflects deep literary and cultural thought. The ‘Author Cottages’ are designed for writers who wish to retreat into nature for focused creative work.
Each cottage combines modern comfort with Himalayan simplicity and is proposed to be named after great literary figures to inspire future generations.
The ‘Himalayan Library’ stands as a temple of knowledge — housing vast collections of books on literature, culture, history, philosophy, politics, and science. Rare manuscripts, folk tales, coins, and traditional art from Himalayan regions will also be preserved here. Built in traditional pahadi architecture using local stone and wood, it symbolizes the harmony of art and environment.
🔹 The Confluence of Nature, Culture, and Spirit
The Writer’s Village is more than a collection of buildings; it is a living ecosystem of creativity. The Sanjeevani Vatika and Nakshatra-Navgraha Garden inspire writers to connect with the cosmos through nature.
With the Himalayas as witness, this is a place of meditation, reflection, and inner awakening. The mountain breeze, birdsong, and divine silence open up the writer’s inner universe — making creation an effortless flow.
Those who spend time here return rejuvenated, with renewed clarity and purpose. It is a place where compassion, sensitivity, and imagination are nurtured — much like the ancient hermitages that once shaped India’s spiritual and literary legacy.
🔹 Preserving Cultural Heritage
The Writer’s Village is also a center for preserving India’s artistic and cultural heritage. The upcoming Ganga and Himalaya Museum will display ancient sculptures, coins, folk art, and historical artifacts — connecting the youth to their cultural roots.
Its mission is simple yet profound:
“To protect culture through literature, and to elevate humanity through culture.”
🔹 Hindi on the Global Stage
Perhaps the most remarkable achievement of the Sparsh Himalaya movement has been its role in taking Hindi literature to the world stage.
Many foreign delegates pledged to translate Hindi works into their native languages, becoming informal ambassadors of India’s linguistic and cultural richness.
This effort is a major step in strengthening India’s soft power diplomacy globally.
🔹 The Road Ahead
The Thano Writer’s Village has become a model for cultural development. Similar “Writer’s Villages” or “Art Hamlets” are now being planned across India. These centers will promote literary tourism, creative residencies, and cultural exchange, giving writers and researchers a sacred space for inspiration.
🔹 The Himalaya of Words
Ultimately, Thano’s Writer’s Village stands as a sanctuary of creation — a place where words become prayers and writing becomes worship.
It reminds us that even in this digital age of speed and technology, the roots of true creativity lie in nature and the human soul.
As the Sparsh Himalaya Festival – 2025 unfolds this November, it will not just be a cultural gathering but a celebration of India’s literary consciousness — a festival that will carry words to the heights of the Himalayas.
The Writer’s Village is living proof that when literature and culture walk hand in hand, society does not merely progress — it becomes a source of eternal inspiration.
In the times to come, this village will undoubtedly emerge as the spiritual heart of India’s cultural identity —
where every word stands tall like the Himalayas,
and every thought flows pure like the Ganga.
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