On September 13 and 14, the lawns of the Jayamahal Palace Hotel Grounds will trade their usual quiet for thumping beats, sizzling food stalls, and rainbow flags. The occasion? The seventh edition of Maya Bazaar, India’s largest in-person LGBTQIA+ festival is back, louder and prouder than ever.
Maya Bazaar 2025 Arrives In Bengaluru
This year, the theme reads like an invitation and a dare: “COME OUT – for the music, the food, the bazaar, for who you are. Come as you are.” The phrase captures the essence of Maya Bazaar: a space where nobody needs to edit or apologise for themselves.
“What started off as a cultural event has turned into this large-scale festival that celebrates diversity, fosters connections, and champions community life and belonging for all,” says co-founder Veena Kulkarni, recalling its humble beginnings.
The bazaar itself is the star attraction. Picture over 150 stalls, each run by queer, women, or ally-owned businesses. You’ll find everything from quirky fashion that stands out to handcrafted jewellery and wellness products designed to feel truly personal. Brands like Aravani, House of KC, Scoby Labs, Hreem Accessories, and Teddy at Midnight return this year. These will be joined by first-timers Square Fruit and Soma Pottery from Hyderabad, both carrying the kind of small-town craftsmanship that rarely makes it to big-city stages.
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Beats, Sequins, And Storytelling
Once the marketplace slows, the stage or Maya Manch takes charge. Wild Wild Women, India’s all-women hip-hop collective, headline with verses as sharp as they are celebratory. Expect a swirl of drag from Kamani Sutra, Dark Fantasy, and Trixie Premaa, each performance stitched with sparkle.
Jishnu will bring tribal fusion belly dance into the mix, while the LehenGays spin a playful and queer remix on folk traditions. The night closes with a collaborative set by Purple Mints and Fruit Jam.
The festival doesn’t shy away from harder conversations either. Two panels this year dig into urgent questions:
- From Pledge to Progress: What’s Really Changed? testing whether corporate commitments and rainbow logos have translated into actual impact.
- Beyond Visibility: Who Actually Holds Power? asking if allyship and representation have moved decision-making, or if they’re still stuck in the realm of tokenism.
Eat Like You Mean It
Food is never just food at Maya Bazaar; it’s comfort, nostalgia, and discovery all at once. Over 15 stalls will cater to both cravings and curiosity with chaats and vada pav for those who swear by street food, Korean hot dogs for the adventurous, pretzels by Backer & Charlie, kombucha by Scoby Labs, and coffee by Maverick & Farmer for the caffeine loyalists.
Sweet-toothed visitors will find plenty to hover over: Aditi’s Café, La Petit Café, and Cake or Death promise sugar rushes, while BentoBento turns up with Japanese flavours that balance the mix.
What makes Maya Bazaar special isn’t just the music or the shopping. It’s the atmosphere: families bringing their kids, friends sprawled on picnic mats, pets weaving between food stalls, and allies mingling with the community without awkwardness. For two days, the festival takes the city’s pulse and flips it into something freer, warmer, and definitely inclusive.
Where: Jayamahal Palace Hotel Grounds, Bengaluru
When: September 13–14, 2025, 10 AM – 10 PM
Cost: ₹300-₹2000 approx.
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied