“Celebrating India’s Culture, Food & Art — Where Tradition Meets Creative Expression.”
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in collaboration with MyGov, is organizing the grand Culinary, Crafts & Clicks – Moods & Magic Festival 2025. This event is a vibrant celebration of India’s diverse cultural heritage, blending authentic cuisine, traditional crafts, and artistic photography.
Held at Kartavya Path and Amrit Udyan in New Delhi, the festival invites artisans, food enthusiasts, and photographers to participate in a unique cultural experience. The highlight is the Moods & Magic Photography Contest with prizes up to ₹50,000, and entry is completely free for all participants and visitors.
🎭 About the Culinary, Crafts & Clicks Festival
The Culinary, Crafts & Clicks Festival 2025 is a platform to celebrate India’s cultural heritage, community engagement, and creative expression. The festival highlights three key elements:
- Authentic Indian Cuisine: A culinary journey through regional flavors from across India
- Traditional Arts & Handicrafts: Live demonstrations and exhibitions by artisans
- Photography Showcases: Capturing the beauty of India’s public spaces and heritage through the Moods & Magic Contest
By blending tradition with modern creativity, the festival creates an immersive experience that celebrates India’s rich artistic legacy while supporting artisans and local communities.
Imagine a giant cultural fair that combines the best of India — delicious food from every region (like a food court but 100x better!), artisans showing how they make beautiful handicrafts (pottery, weaving, painting), and a photography contest where you can win ₹50,000 for capturing beautiful moments. All of this happens at Kartavya Path (near India Gate) and Amrit Udyan (Rashtrapati Bhavan gardens), and it’s completely FREE to attend!
| Element | Focus Area | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Culinary | Food & Cuisine | Regional delicacies, street food, desserts |
| Crafts | Handicrafts & Arts | Live demos, artisan stalls, performances |
| Clicks | Photography | Moods & Magic Contest with prizes |
🍛 Culinary Delights: India’s Food Journey
The festival offers a comprehensive exploration of India’s diverse food culture:
Regional Specialties:
- North Indian: Tandoori dishes, kebabs, chaat, chole bhature
- South Indian: Dosas, idlis, vadas, filter coffee, Chettinad cuisine
- East Indian: Bengali sweets, momos, fish preparations
- West Indian: Gujarati thali, Maharashtrian vada pav, Rajasthani dal baati
Sweet Treats:
- Rosogolla (Bengal)
- Mysore Pak (Karnataka)
- Ghevar (Rajasthan)
- Jalebi, Gulab Jamun, and regional specialties
🎨 Traditional Crafts & Handmade Goods
The festival showcases India’s rich handicraft traditions:
Live Demonstrations:
- Weaving: Traditional handloom techniques from various states
- Pottery: Clay art and ceramic craftsmanship
- Painting: Madhubani, Warli, Pattachitra, and miniature art forms
- Embroidery: Chikankari, Kantha, Phulkari, and zardozi work
Additional Attractions:
- Handicraft stalls — buy directly from artisans
- Classical dance performances (Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi)
- Folk music from different regions
- Storytelling sessions and cultural narratives
Three Cs: Culinary (food), Crafts (handicrafts), Clicks (photography). Organized by: MoHUA + MyGov. Venue: Kartavya Path & Amrit Udyan, Delhi. Prize pool: ₹50K + ₹30K + ₹20K. Entry: FREE!
📸 Moods & Magic Photography Contest
The Moods & Magic Photography Contest is a major attraction, inviting photographers to capture India’s urban landscapes, cultural expressions, and public spaces.
Contest Themes:
- Families Enjoying Urban Spaces: Moments of relaxation in parks and city streets
- Children & Nature: Candid captures of kids interacting with surroundings
- Artisans at Work: Showcasing craftsmanship in action
- The Spirit of Festivities: Capturing vibrant celebrations and decorations
Who Can Participate:
- Open to all photography enthusiasts (amateurs and professionals)
- No entry fee — completely free to participate
- Register through MyGov website
| Theme | Focus | What to Capture |
|---|---|---|
| Families in Urban Spaces | Community Life | Parks, streets, public gatherings |
| Children & Nature | Youth & Environment | Kids playing, exploring outdoors |
| Artisans at Work | Craftsmanship | Potters, weavers, painters creating |
| Spirit of Festivities | Celebrations | Decorations, cultural events, joy |
Don’t confuse: The festival is organized by MoHUA (Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs), NOT Ministry of Culture or Tourism. The venue is Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath) and Amrit Udyan (formerly Mughal Gardens) — both renamed in 2022. The photography contest is specifically called “Moods & Magic.” Entry is FREE for both festival and contest.
🏆 Prizes & Recognition
Winners of the Moods & Magic Photography Contest receive cash prizes and public recognition:
| Position | Prize Amount | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 First Prize | ₹50,000 | Exhibition + Certificate + Media Feature |
| 🥈 Second Prize | ₹30,000 | Exhibition + Certificate + Media Feature |
| 🥉 Third Prize | ₹20,000 | Exhibition + Certificate + Media Feature |
| 🎖️ Spotlight Awards (3) | ₹5,000 each | Best Candid, Most Vibrant, Cultural Engagement |
Exhibition & Public Recognition:
- Winning photographs displayed at Kartavya Path
- Featured on DAY-NULM & MyGov official platforms
- Certificates and social media recognition
🌍 Why This Festival Matters
The festival bridges India’s cultural past with modern creative expression:
Community Engagement:
- Brings together artisans, food lovers, and photographers
- Encourages interaction between diverse backgrounds
Cultural Preservation:
- Promotes traditional arts and supports artisan livelihoods
- Provides sustainable platform for handmade crafts
Revitalization of Public Spaces:
- Transforms urban landscapes into cultural hubs
- Promotes heritage conservation through photography
Legacy Initiatives: The festival builds on MoHUA’s earlier programs like Bharat Parv at Red Fort and Shilp Samagam Mela at Dilli Haat.
Notice how MoHUA (Housing & Urban Affairs) — not Ministry of Culture — organizes this cultural festival. This reflects the government’s vision of integrating cultural activities with urban development and public space revitalization. The festival serves multiple policy objectives: artisan support, tourism promotion, heritage preservation, and smart city development.
Cultural festivals like this serve multiple policy objectives. Consider: How can such festivals create sustainable livelihoods for artisans? What role does photography play in cultural documentation? How do public space events contribute to city branding and soft power? Is cultural preservation compatible with commercialization?
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The festival is organized by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in collaboration with MyGov, not Ministry of Culture.
The festival is held at Kartavya Path (former Rajpath) and Amrit Udyan (former Mughal Gardens) in New Delhi.
The first prize for the Moods & Magic Photography Contest is ₹50,000.
The photography contest is called “Moods & Magic Photography Contest,” featuring four themes related to urban life and culture.
Entry is completely FREE for both the festival visit and the photography contest participation.
