ExpoInn Suites & Convention, under Indeva Hotels & Resorts (A Unit of India Expo Mart Limited – IEML), recently hosted an exclusive Media FAM Staycation, offering members of the travel media a firsthand experience of its integrated hospitality ecosystem, convention infrastructure and experiential event capabilities. While the immersive two-day familiarisation programme showcased the group’s diverse hospitality portfolio and destination-led experiences, it also served as the platform for unveiling Global Bhakti Fest 2026-a first-of-its-kind initiative that seeks to position India as a global hub for spiritual tourism, wellness, culture and conscious commerce.
Scheduled to take place on 14–15 December 2026 at India Expo Mart Limited (IEML), Greater Noida, the inaugural edition of Global Bhakti Fest 2026 has been conceived as an integrated platform bringing together conferences, exhibitions, cultural performances and conscious commerce. The initiative aims to showcase India’s rich spiritual heritage while creating new opportunities for collaboration across tourism, hospitality, wellness, education and cultural industries, reinforcing the country’s growing prominence as a destination for experience-led travel and cultural engagement.
The vision for Global Bhakti Fest 2026 was unveiled during an exclusive Media MICE FAM Staycation hosted by ExpoInn Group in Greater Noida. The media interaction featured Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Chairman, India Expo Mart Limited (IEML); Barun Gupta, COO, Indeva Hotels & Resorts; CA Mukesh Gupta, Director, IEML; and Mallika Thakkar, Co-founder & Director of Marketing, SoulTrax Studios, who shared insights into the concept and objectives of the initiative.
Envisioned as an annual global platform, Global Bhakti Fest 2026 aims to bring together nations, spiritual leaders, artists, businesses and communities through devotion, dialogue and conscious commerce. The initiative seeks to showcase India’s spiritual heritage on the global stage while promoting cultural diplomacy and creating opportunities for collaboration across tourism, hospitality, wellness, education and cultural industries.
One of the festival’s key highlights will be the Global Bhakti Conclave, a two-day knowledge platform bringing together spiritual masters, policymakers, entrepreneurs, academicians, wellness experts and industry leaders. The conclave will feature discussions on Spiritual Diplomacy and India’s Global Soft Power, The New Spiritual India, Conscious Leadership and Compassionate Business, Spirituality and Technology, Ayurveda for the Modern World, Food as Medicine, Spiritual Tourism and Destination Development, Mental Health and Conscious Living, The Business of Bhakti, Spiritual Entertainment and Creative Industries, India’s Wellness Economy, and The Future of Global Spiritual Collaboration.
A Festival Designed for Scale
According to the organisers, the inaugural edition is expected to welcome 20,000+ festival visitors, 2,000+ conclave delegates, a 150,000+ sq. ft. exhibition marketplace, and 8,000–10,000 attendees for evening devotional concerts. The festival will unfold across three integrated experience zones—the Global Bhakti Conclave, the Global Bhakti Expo, and the Concert Arena, creating a seamless journey that blends knowledge sharing, exhibitions, cultural experiences and live performances.
Occupying more than 150,000 square feet at IEML, the Global Bhakti Expo has been designed as a comprehensive B2B and B2C marketplace showcasing Spiritual Tourism & Pilgrimage, Ayurveda, Yoga & Holistic Wellness, Wellness Products and Natural Healing, Temple Cuisine & Organic Food, Temple Trusts & Religious Organisations, Handicrafts & Traditional Textiles, Ashrams & Meditation Centres, Spiritual Technology & Digital Platforms, NGOs & Charitable Organisations, Devotional Music & Performing Arts, Hospitality & Hotels, Religious Tourism Boards, Temple Architecture & Design, Spiritual Publishing, and Fragrance, Incense & Ritual Products. By bringing together tourism boards, wellness brands, spiritual organisations, hospitality providers, entrepreneurs and buyers, the expo aims to promote collaboration while showcasing India’s diverse spiritual and cultural ecosystem.
A major highlight of the initiative is the proposed participation of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, along with tourism departments from Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Assam, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. The organisers also shared plans for engagement with the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, and the Ministry of Textiles, reflecting the festival’s multidisciplinary approach to tourism, culture, wellness and economic development.
The announcement formed part of an immersive two-day Media FAM Staycation, during which invited media experienced the hospitality offerings of ExpoInn Suites & Convention, Plume Hotels and Mor Stays. The programme showcased the group’s diverse hospitality portfolio catering to premium business, lifestyle and leisure travellers while highlighting Greater Noida’s expanding hospitality infrastructure. A key attraction was the Punch Boxing Championship, hosted at ExpoInn Suites & Convention, demonstrating the venue’s ability to host international sporting events alongside conferences, exhibitions, entertainment programmes and corporate gatherings.
With its unique blend of spirituality, tourism, wellness, exhibitions and cultural experiences, Global Bhakti Fest 2026 has the potential to emerge as a landmark annual platform showcasing India’s rich spiritual heritage while fostering tourism, cultural exchange, conscious commerce and sustainable economic growth.
