February 2026: Rishikesh Kirtan Fest has been taking place for five years, featuring daily kirtans, workshops and spiritual talks under the banner of Bhakti Yoga.
This free event is held in the sacred Hindu city of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India, known for attracting large numbers of international visitors seeking to learn yoga.
Social media influencers including @dehradun.raw, @mayankkkohli and @leela_yoga have reported that ethnically Indian visitors and local residents were turned away, while foreigners were granted access.
Vlogger Kriti Kumari ( @_kittoo_ ) stated she was denied entry twice. On her second attempt, her Russian companion was allowed in while she was refused.
A yoga teacher named Rahul, whose reel went viral, challenged an organiser who prevented him from entering. The organiser responded that the festival was open to all, but evening sessions prioritised international visitors to help them understand Indian culture and spirituality, particularly those without prior exposure.
Despite this, the event’s website states that registration is open to everyone.
Although the festival is privately organised and entry is at the discretion of organisers, concerns have been raised about the exclusion of Indians from an event promoting Krishna Bhakti and Vaishnavism.
The situation has also prompted discussion around the wider commercialisation and perceived de-Hinduisation of yoga in the West, with questions being raised about whether kirtan is following a similar trajectory.
Public reaction has intensified due to the event being organised by affiliates of an ISKCON Guru, Indradyumna Swami, although the event is not formally associated with ISKCON.
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