--- title: "Puppet Festivals in Bengaluru | Cultural Celebrations at Dhaatu" description: "Join us for the Dhaatu International Puppet Festival and Navaratra Mahotsava in Bengaluru. Experience traditional string puppetry, doll displays, and storytelling at the Mandala Cultural Centre." canonical: https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/our-festivals-cultural-celebrations last_updated: 2025-09-07 --- # Festivals and Cultural Celebrations at Dhaatu Tribe Verified · Hosting puppet festivals in Bengaluru since 2004. By [Dhaatu Puppet Theater](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater) · Shows at theaters in Bengaluru; Travels across India for events · ₹100 per person (estimate) Part of [Puppet Shows & Performances](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/gallery) Experience the vibrant traditions of puppetry at our annual festivals and celebrations, where stories from our epics come alive through string, rod, and shadow art at the Mandala Cultural Centre. ## Photos and videos - ![Glimpses from the Dhaatu International Puppet Festival 2023. This collage captures the variety of puppets on display and the esteemed guests who grace our events.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/00dd05c0-330b-4b05-8130-f6c070418383) - ![More moments from the Dhaatu International Puppet Festival, showing scenes from different performances and our team of dedicated puppeteers.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/07a25b34-116f-4194-9c87-b6292b682d0f) - ![A collage from our festival, featuring a performance of 'Peddamma Dosa Angadi' and the young artists who participated. We are passionate about nurturing the next generation of puppeteers.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/198b4977-a99d-4b54-b36a-c08f2088f498) - ![Scenes from the Dhaatu International Puppet Festival, showcasing different styles of puppetry and the artists who practice them. Our festival is a confluence of traditions from across India.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2e2ae4b3-e762-4bff-9392-e5ad0cd4ecae) - ![A collection of images from our 2023 festival, highlighting the performances, the artists, and the dignitaries who support our work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/31883a23-ecb6-485b-8788-07371dc0ee1b) - ![This collage shows the diversity of contemporary and traditional puppetry at our festival, including hand puppets, shadow puppets, and marionettes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3b28ce12-b2f5-4525-a7a1-27350f224963) - [Video: A vibrant collage from the Dhaatu International Puppet Festival, featuring scenes from a Yakshagana puppet show and other traditional forms.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5e7abff1-a8fe-4e69-8aab-33f88b7c33ef) - ![More glimpses from our international puppet festival, showcasing the color and energy of various performances, including a depiction of Ganesha.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/93890d59-276a-4cc7-9e7b-a9f336799497) - [Video: A video tour of the Dhaatu Navarātra Mahotsava, an immersive cultural journey through doll displays, storytelling, and puppet shows.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/986a12b1-5881-4438-8037-908f998f1d59) - ![Another look at the diverse performances and honored artists at the Dhaatu International Puppet Festival. It is a celebration of the puppetry community.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/989febda-c4ef-498a-8e0e-b18b6ad5b2e8) - ![A collage from our 2023 puppet festival, showing the beautiful string puppets and the artists and guests who make the event possible.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c3472eac-1d82-4720-b80d-1cdb54ac7576) - ![A snapshot of a children's performance and the proud young puppeteers at our international festival. We provide a platform for artists of all ages.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c7974335-f4c2-44f1-b831-d2a650eecc73) - [Video: A video showing our venue, the Mandala Cultural Centre, getting ready to welcome everyone to the Dhaatu International Puppet Festival.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cb3af950-0dc7-4bcb-83e5-0e0eacaf0f54) - ![This collage from our festival features a puppet of Swami Vivekananda and scenes from a performance depicting the life of the spiritual leader.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f76908fd-2ec5-4855-84ac-b94e0e54ea6f) ## About Our Festivals & Cultural Celebrations Stepping into the Mandala Cultural Centre during our festivals is quite different from walking into a standard theater. You are not just sitting in a dark hall; you are surrounded by doll displays, interactive exhibits, and the energy of other families and art enthusiasts. It is an immersive space where you can wander through our museum, catch a live puppet performance, and speak with the puppeteers right after the curtain falls. Our festivals, such as the Dhaatu International Puppet Festival and the Navaratra Mahotsava, are designed as community experiences. We believe that art is a shared language, and these gatherings allow us to showcase the diversity of Indian puppetry, from the Sutrada Gombe string puppets of Karnataka to traditional shadow puppetry forms like Ravanachhaya. ### What to Expect During these events, we transform the Mandala Cultural Centre into a hub of activity. You will find: * **Live Performances:** Full-scale productions of epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, as well as lighthearted tales for younger audiences. * **Exhibitions:** Our puppet museum becomes the focal point, with curated doll displays and rare artifacts on view. * **Interactive Learning:** Many of our festival days include 'karyagara' or workshops where families can try their hand at puppet manipulation or craft making. ### Why We Host These Gatherings These 'mahotsava' celebrations are about more than entertainment. They provide a space where the wisdom of our stories—from the Panchatantra to the Upanishads—can be passed down. Whether you are a student, a parent looking for meaningful activities, or a culture enthusiast, our festivals offer a window into the stories that have shaped our heritage. We invite you to join us during our next event to see how we bring these ancient narratives into the present day. ## About Dhaatu Puppet Theater I am Anupama, and my family started Dhaatu to ensure the wisdom in our stories doesn't get lost. When we open our doors for festivals, it is not just to put on a show; it is to welcome you into our home and share the vibrancy of Bharat’s puppetry traditions with you. [See all of Dhaatu Puppet Theater's services](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater) ## More from Puppet Shows & Performances by Dhaatu Puppet Theater - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/featured) - [Epic Tales on Strings](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/epic-tales-on-strings) - [Historical & Devotional Sagas](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/historical-devotional-sagas) - [The Magic of Shadow Puppetry](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/the-magic-of-shadow-puppetry) - [Behind the Curtains: Our Creative Process](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/behind-the-curtains-our-creative-process) - [For the Young & Young at Heart](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/for-the-young-young-at-heart) - [Workshops, Conferences & Learning](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/workshops-conferences-learning) - [Our Founder & Our Pride](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/our-founder-our-pride) - [Event Announcements & Schedules](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/event-announcements-schedules) ## More services by Dhaatu Puppet Theater - [Cultural Festivals & Exhibitions](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions) - [Puppetry & Craft Workshops](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppetry-craft-workshops) - [Museum Tours & Educational Programs](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs) ## Similar work from other experts - [Cultural Festivals and Traditional Puppet Celebrations in Bengaluru](https://mytribe.in/anupamahoskere/cultural-experiences-venue-rental/festivals-special-events) by Dhaatu · Cultural Experiences & Venue Rental · Located at Mandala Cultural Centre, Kanakapura Road - [Major Puppet Performances for Festivals and Cultural Centres](https://mytribe.in/aakaar_puppet/rajasthani-puppet-shows-kathputli/major-performances-festivals-cultural-centres) by Aakaar Puppet Theatre · Rajasthani Puppet Shows (Kathputli) · Performs puppet shows across India - [Cultural Festivals & Spiritual Celebrations](https://mytribe.in/ramanacentrebengaluru/performing-arts-education-music-dance/festivals-cultural-presentations) by Ramana Maharshi Centre for Learning · Performing Arts Education (Music & Dance) · Online classes and at 2 centres in Bengaluru - [PuppeTree on the World Stage](https://mytribe.in/puppetreetheatre/puppetry-workshops-classes/puppetree-on-the-world-stage) by PuppeTree · Puppetry Workshops & Classes · Workshops at your venue across Bengaluru - [Bharatanatyam & Bombeyaata: Unique Dance-Puppetry Performances](https://mytribe.in/divthedancer/bharatanatyam-dance-performances/dance-puppetry-the-magic-of-bombeyaata) by Divya Hoskere · Bharatanatyam Dance Performances · Performs across Bengaluru and India - [Interactive Puppet Storytelling for Festivals & Public Events](https://mytribe.in/talking.turtles.storytellers/storytelling-puppetry-performances/on-the-big-stage-festivals-events) by Talking Turtles Storytellers · Storytelling & Puppetry Performances · Travels to venues across India ## Book To book Dhaatu Puppet Theater, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I%20am%20interested%20in%20the%20upcoming%20festivals%20and%20cultural%20celebrations%20at%20Dhaatu.%20Could%20you%20share%20the%20schedule%20and%20ticket%20details%3F)