The three main gods in the Hindu pantheon of over 330 million are Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh: The Creator, The Maintainer and The Destroyer, in that order. While the latter two have various festivals to their names, the only day in the Indian calendar when Lord Brahma is worshipped is Kartik Poornima, one of the brightest moonlit nights of the year. ‘Kartik’ is the name of the month in the Hindu calendar; and ‘Poornima’ is the full moon day.

The celebration of Kartik Poornima is a cultural and heritage tourism initiative by Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation of the House of Mewar. The HRH Group of Hotels is the proud sponsor of this year’s event.

The concept of ‘Eternal Mewar’ reflects the commitment to the custodianship of perennial human values by the House of Mewar. It is this concept that drives the activities of both the Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation and the HRH Group of Hotels. The continuation of the heritage of Kartik Poornima is one more proof of this commitment.

This mystical festival provides an opportunity to witness the full moon mirrored in Lake Pichola, against the fabulous backdrop of the Island Palace of Jagmandir in Udaipur.

In the words of Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar, the 76th custodian of the House of Mewar, “the theme for Kartik Poornima 2006 is the global theme for the 21st century. Sufism is all about celebrating the oneness of life…and that’s exactly what is needed to heal the wounds of a fractured world.”

The theme will be introduced by Ms. Zia Lambrau, a teacher of sacred Sufi dances. The audience will listen to the soulful poetry of the mystic-poet Rumi as well as the stories of the witty Mullah Naseeruddin.

Connecting the thread of the Creator, Creation and Creativity, the performing art for the evening will be ‘Sufi Kathak – A moving meditation’ This will be performed by Ms. Manjari Chaturvedi, the pioneer of this stunning dance form.

The colours for Kartik Poornima includes the jewel colours of pearl pink, white and silver. This colour aesthetic will be continued in an exclusive exhibition and sale of arts and crafts from the regal label of Aashka, an initiative from Princess Bhargavi Kumari Mewar of Udaipur. Part of sale proceeds which will go to Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation toward the promotion of Mewari arts and crafts, fulfilling the latter’s objective of heritage promotion and conservation.

Come, experience the mystique of the Creator, Creation and Creativity: After all, it happens just once a year!