Kirtan
This page offers a glimpse into the spirit of kirtan - the music, the energy, and the shared experience that brings people together in song.
Through images, videos, and a short introduction, you can explore what makes this practice so uplifting and why it sits at the heart of the festival.
What is Kirtan
Kirtan is a joyful form of devotional music where people come together to sing simple chants in a shared space of connection and celebration.
Rooted in ancient yogic and bhakti traditions, it is less about performance and more about participation. Through the repetition of mantra and the steady support of rhythm, the mind is gradually quieted and awareness can turn inward, while the collective energy remains uplifting, meditative, and deeply energising.
You don’t need to be a singer or know the chants beforehand - just a willingness to listen and join in. Everyone is welcome.
The Roots of Kirtan
Kirtan emerges from the devotional streams of India, where music and mantra have long been used as a direct path to express love, connection, and spiritual awareness. For centuries, people have gathered in this way - using sound as a simple yet powerful means to focus the mind, open the heart, and attune to something deeper within.
While its origins are ancient, kirtan has travelled widely and is now shared around the world. It continues to be embraced within yoga and spiritual communities as a collective practice that brings people together through rhythm, repetition, and heartfelt presence
How Kirtan Works
At the centre of kirtan is a simple call-and-response form of chanting.
A lead voice offers a line of mantra, and the group responds by echoing it. Supported by instruments such as harmonium, guitar, drums, and percussion, a steady rhythm develops, guiding the flow of the chant and helping to anchor awareness.
As the repetition continues, the practice deepens. Breath, sound, and attention begin to align, the mind settles, and a natural sense of unity emerges - often experienced as uplifting, joyful, and deeply connecting.
Everyone is Welcome to Participate
Kirtan is a shared and inclusive practice.
Some voices are strong, others soft. Some clap or sway with the rhythm, while others join more quietly. There is no single way to take part, but the essence of kirtan is participation - adding your voice, your presence, your awareness to the collective sound.
Whether you have been attending kirtans for years or are simply curious to experience it more deeply, the invitation is the same: come as you are, join the circle, and enter into the chant.
