Vadodara : From a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic architecture to traditional crafts, community wrestling and the energy of Navratri, the second day of Sopaan’s AIKYAM 2026, Rasa & Realism, showcased Gujarat’s living heritage through a series of immersive cultural experiences. The programme brought together history, design, craftsmanship and contemporary cultural exchange, highlighting Vadodara’s potential to emerge as a global destination for heritage and the arts. The day also featured a Navratri dinner hosted by Hon’ble Dr Hemang Joshi, Member of Parliament, Vadodara.
AIKYAM 2026 is supported by Gujarat Tourism, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Vadodara, Maharani Dr Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Incredible India, Vadodara Municipal Corporation, Baroda Heritage Trust and the Federation of Gujarat Industries, with the European Union Delegation to India as a partner. Ten European embassies in India are partnering with Sopaan to foster international cultural dialogue.
Highlighting Vadodara’s tourism potential, Hon’ble Dr Hemang Joshi, Member of Parliament from Vadodara, said, “Gujarat’s tourism sector is witnessing encouraging growth, with domestic tourist visits across the state’s top 10 destinations reaching 12.4 crore in 2025, marking a 36.9% increase over the previous year. Foreign tourist visits to these destinations also rose to 16 lakh, reflecting the state’s growing appeal among domestic and international travellers. Vadodara, with its rich royal heritage, architectural landmarks, vibrant cultural traditions and proximity to key attractions such as the Statue of Unity and Champaner-Pavagadh, is well positioned to benefit from this momentum. The opportunity ahead lies in strengthening heritage-led experiences, promoting cultural events and encouraging visitors to spend more time exploring the city and its surrounding destinations.”
Sharing AIKYAM’s vision, Mr Siddhaant Mohta, Director, Sopaan, said, “Heritage is not just about preserving the past. It is about keeping traditions alive, creating new cultural connections and giving people compelling reasons to experience a place first-hand. With AIKYAM, we want to take Vadodara beyond the familiar narratives of royal history and monuments, and present the creativity, craftsmanship and living traditions that define its cultural identity. Rasa & Realism brings together architecture, design, traditional crafts and community celebrations to create a dialogue between India’s heritage and global perspectives. Our ambition is to establish AIKYAM as a distinctive cultural platform that puts Vadodara firmly on the international cultural map. I extend my sincere gratitude to Hon’ble Dr Hemang Joshi, Member of Parliament and Maharani Dr Radhikaraje Gaekwad for their support in advancing this vision.”
Taking guests beyond Vadodara to explore Gujarat’s wider cultural landscape, the second day of the annual cultural festival began at the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site that preserves the legacy of a medieval capital of Gujarat. Guests explored its historic architecture and gained insights into the region’s layered past.
The focus then shifted to contemporary design and the built environment. At Rubamin in Halol, guests participated in Conversations on Design and Architecture, a session held over lunch that explored design and architecture within Gujarat’s evolving cultural and creative landscape.
The evening brought community traditions and craftsmanship to the fore. Guests visited a local wrestling akhada, gaining a glimpse into a practice that remains part of community life. They then explored Gujarati textiles and handicrafts at the Grand Mercure Vadodara Surya Palace in Vadodara, where traditional skills and craftsmanship took centre stage.
The cultural engagements continued with a Navratri dinner hosted by Hon’ble Dr Hemang Joshi, bringing together dignitaries and guests. The celebrations continued at Lukshmi Vilas Palace with the Grand Garba, where guests experienced the music, movement and community spirit of Gujarat’s iconic dance tradition. In 2023, Garba was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising its significance as a community dance rooted in Gujarat’s cultural life.
Guests then proceeded to the Vadodara Navratri Festival at Navlakhi Ground, experiencing the scale and vibrancy of the city’s festive celebrations. Together, the day’s engagements brought Gujarat’s heritage into focus as a living, evolving expression of identity, creativity and community.
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