Kirtan in India: what it is and where to experience it
What kirtan is, how a kirtan evening works, the difference with bhajan, and where to join kirtan and mantra singing in India, even as a beginner.
Kirtan is one of the simplest spiritual practices there is, and one of the most powerful to experience. Someone sings a line, the group sings it back, and slowly, over repetition, the singing becomes a shared state rather than a performance. In India kirtan is not a "workshop": it is a living devotional practice, held in temples, ashrams and homes, often every evening.
What kirtan is
Kirtan is the call-and-response singing of mantras and divine names, usually accompanied by harmonium, mridanga or dholak drums and kartals (small hand cymbals). It belongs to the bhakti tradition, the path of devotion, and is sung in many traditions and languages across India.
The pace often starts slow and builds. There is no audience: everyone present is part of it.
Kirtan or bhajan?
Both are devotional singing, and the words are sometimes used interchangeably. As a rough guide:
- Kirtan is usually call-and-response and repetitive, built so the whole group can join in.
- Bhajans are devotional songs, with more verses and melody, which may be sung by one person or a small group while others listen or join the refrain.
Do I need to sing well?
No. Nobody is judging your voice, and you learn the mantra by hearing it a few times. If you don't feel like singing, you can simply listen and let the sound carry you. Joining in, even quietly, is the practice.
Etiquette
- Take off your shoes where others do.
- Dress modestly, especially in temples and ashrams.
- Sit on the floor if others do, and try not to point your feet towards the altar or the musicians.
- Keep your phone away. Ask before recording anything.
- If there is a donation box, giving something is a way to support the space.
Where to experience kirtan in India
- Rishikesh: evening kirtan in ashrams and by the Ganga, alongside the aarti.
- Varanasi: devotional singing is part of daily life on the ghats.
- Vrindavan and Mayapur: two of the great centres of devotional singing.
- Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru: regular kirtan and satsang evenings in community spaces and homes, many open to newcomers.
Find a kirtan near you
On Wanderer you can browse kirtan and mantra singing in India and see who leads each gathering.
If you lead kirtan, you can create your page for free and share one link for your evenings, retreats and sessions.
