Jaipur Literature Festival

History of Jaipur Literature Festival

Jaipur Literature Festival, widely popular in and outside India, will celebrate its 19th year in 2025. The festival was initiated on modest grounds in 2006 with only 18 writers, including William Dalrymple, Namita Gokhale, Shobhaa De, Hari Kunzru, and 14 other authors, and had only 100 attendees

The festival’s attendance increased in the following years, with more prominent and distinguished figures from the literary world and other disciplines participating. By 2009, around 12,000 people attended the festival, with over 140 authors and speakers, including Vikram Seth, Shashi Tharoor, Hanif Kureishi, Ashok Vajpeyi, and Tariq Ali, taking part.

However, in 2012, the festival faced challenges when author Salman Rushdie canceled his visit to India due to potential threats related to his controversial book, The Satanic Verses. Later, the Government of India intervened to prevent a proposed video link between Rushdie and the festival participants.

To explore more about what else you can do in Jaipur, check out the things to do in Jaipur page for additional activities.

Jaipur Literature Festival Tickets

The Jaipur Literature Festival is free to attend, but registration is mandatory. However, the Evening Music Sessions at Clarks Amer are ticketed, and you need to contact the press office to attend these events

Date

The Jaipur Literature Festival will take place from January 30 to February 3, 2025. This five-day event is expected to attract a diverse audience and feature multiple sessions showcasing various literary talents.

Plan your stay with one of the Jaipur Packages to enjoy the city during the event.

Location/Venue

The Jaipur Literature Festival 2025 will take place at Hotel Clarks Amer, a well-known location in Jaipur.
Address: Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, opposite Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur, 302018

Themes for this year

While specific themes for the Jaipur Literature Festival 2025 have not been officially announced, in previous years they have focused more on topics such as freedom of expression, cultural diversity, and contemporary social issues.

For more information about Jaipur, you can refer to the Jaipur travel guide.

Who can attend the festival?

The Jaipur Literature Festival is open to everyone, including students, literature enthusiasts, and the general public

If you’re visiting Jaipur for the first time, make sure to check out our places to see in and around Jaipur guide.

How to Reach the Jaipur Literature Festival

By Air

Jaipur’s nearest airport, Sanganer, is 14.7 km from Hotel Clarks Amer. It connects to major Indian cities and some international destinations. Taxis and buses are available from the airport

By Train

Jaipur Junction is 2.7 km from the venue, with trains from major Indian cities. Gandhinagar and Durgapur are other nearby stations. Taxis, autorickshaws, and buses are available.

By Road

Jaipur is well-connected via National Highways 8 and 11. Regular RSRTC buses from Delhi and private buses from various cities are available.