Delhi’s Historic Jantar Mantar Selected as a New Venue for Indian Biennale 2026

One of the five astronomical observatories constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur in the early 18th century, the Jantar Mantar has been included as a host for the upcoming India Biennale 2026 organised by the ministry of culture.

The site for the India Biennale has been updated on Thursday to include the addition.

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The art festival, the architecture festival and the design festival will run for 108 days, starting from 4 December, in 18 other locations in the capital city. This includes lawns within the complex at the Qutub Minar, Agrasen ki Baoli, the Red Fort and Safdarjung Tomb as well as other galleries, embassy premises and private cultural establishments.

It is believed that the ministry's own exhibition will be organized at the 16th century Purana Qila, which will be the center of the Biennale.

The architecture and design companies as well as the public and private art and culture institutions like NGMAR, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, JSW Foundation and DAG (formerly Delhi Art Gallery) are participating in the event.

“It is time we transform our monuments into living cultural centres and open them up for public viewing, not only to appreciate history but also catch a glimpse of the current day art scene in India,” Vivek Aggarwal, secretary, ministry of culture told HT last month. The entire Delhi will be a platform.

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The development comes on the heels of a series of big agitations against the Union government this year, including the denotification of a section of Jantar Mantar Road on October 11 as a protest zone.

Police also identified three other venues – Ramlila Maidan, Burari ground in the North and CBD ground in the East parts of the city as alternative venues for protests.

The decision also came in keeping with the observation made by the Supreme Court bench (led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant) on 9 October regarding the need for bigger and well-equipped venues for protests, respecting public safety.

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