Poised in the middle of the Majestic land of Rajasthan, the little known district town of Nagaur can be best described as a place where many historic eras coexist.

This 12th Century fortress of stone, with the surviving Rajput – Mughal architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries within, has come under comprehensive conservation since early 1993 under the management of the Mehrangarh Museum Trust. The Sufi Festival will mark the conclusion of the project, which has been handsomely supported by the Getty Foundation U.S.A., The Helen Hamlyn Trust U.K., and Friends of Nagaur from all corners of the world. Our work has been recognized by the UNESCO Asia-Pacific with awards of Excellence and Distinction for Heritage Conservation at both Ahhichatragarh and the Mehrangarh Fort at Jodhpur.

The Trust is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the unique heritage of this region – its architecture as well as the living and vibrant manifestations of its culture, arts, music, dance and the oral traditions.

Magical fort of Nagaur, conveniently situated between Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jaipur. Also known as Ahichhatragarh, this impressive fort, at the edge of the Indian Thar desert, was created over a period of 800 years.

From a mud fort in the 4th century to a stone structure in the 12th century, to dilapidation in the 20th century, the Naguar fort has weathered all the adversities of time, history, romance, ambition, and much more. Today after the completion of the architectural conservation work carried out by Mehrangarh Museum Trust over two decades, the fort has reconnected with the magnificent grandeur of the medieval past.

As the name suggests, the festival will feature the most beautiful expressions of sufism. World renowned Sufi Qawwals, folk musicians from desert villages of Rajasthan, and yet unheard but mellifluous all-women singer group from North-eastern India, classical interpretations from Agra, Sufi Kalams from Punjab, as well as performers from Iran, Egypt and Turkey... enchanting performances of creative minds transcending all man made divides of class, caste, langauage, gender, history, geography and religion.