~ The festival is to be held in Rajgir, Nalanda from December 21 to 25, 2025 ~

National : The Nalanda Literature Festival (NLF) 2025 was officially announced in Mumbai for its upcoming edition taking place from December 21–25, 2025, at the historic sites of Rajgir, Nalanda in Bihar, celebrating the confluence of legacy, language and literature. The event was graced by Chief Guest Shri Shatrughan Sinha, veteran actor, parliamentarian, and cultural icon, who joined Chairperson D. Aaliya, Trustee Dhanu Bihar, President of IMPPA Abhay Sinha, Festival Director Ganga Kumar and Festival Curator Pankaj Dubey in unveiling the festival’s vision.

Furthermore, they introduced the Nalanda Literature Development Programme from September 15, 2025, to March 26, 2026, a series of initiatives designed to nurture dialogue, creativity, and cultural exchange in the run-up to the festival. On this auspicious occasion, eminent personalities, including  Vineet Kumar, Akhilendra Mishra, Shahu Patole, Ashoke Pandit,  Kailash Kher, Sudhanshu Pandey, Pradeep Sinha, Rumy Jaffrey, Chandan Kumar, Vaibhav Suman,  Shreya Shrivastava, and Koral Dasgupta, and many more added to the creative energy of the gathering with their presence.

Shri Shatrughan Sinha said, “This mega festival shall be a historic cultural renaissance, a grand confluence of India’s literary, linguistic, and artistic brilliance. It will not only showcase the richness of our past and the vitality of our present but also pave the path for a celebrated future for Indian languages and culture. With luminaries from art, literature and cinema gracing the event, this festival will be marked as a cultural landmark in India’s modern history.”

Chairperson D. Aaliya remarked, “Nalanda has always been more than a place—it is a symbol of India’s timeless quest for knowledge. With the support of Dhanu Bihar and our partners, the Nalanda Literature Festival 2025 will stand as a global stage where wisdom, creativity, and dialogue meet to inspire generations.”

Ganga Kumar, Festival Director, emphasised, “The Nalanda Literature Festival is not just about books or writers; it is about reconnecting with the civilisational values and intellectual spirit that Nalanda once symbolised. By hosting scholars, artists, and storytellers here, we want to inspire future generations to embrace both tradition and modernity in their pursuit of knowledge.”

Abhay Sinha, President of the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), extended his support, noting, “The worlds of cinema and literature are deeply connected, and a festival of this stature helps us celebrate storytelling across mediums while reminding us of our cultural roots.”

Pankaj Dubey, Festival curator & bestselling novelist, added, “As a storyteller, it is humbling to curate this festival where ancient wisdom meets contemporary narratives. Nalanda is a bridge between the past and the future of literature, and this festival is our way of keeping that bridge alive and thriving.”

Furthermore, the festival will also witness the official launch of the NLF website, which will serve as a digital hub for programming updates, speaker details, and engagement opportunities.

The Nalanda Literature Festival 2025 will also host guests from over 10 Indian diaspora countries, making it a truly global celebration of India’s intellectual, cultural, and literary heritage.