Every July, Krishna Valley (Krisna-völgy) erupts in color and joy for the Krishna Valley Farewell Festival—the region’s biggest open weekend, welcoming all ages to step into the world of ancient India, sustainability, and pure happiness. Now in its 30th year, the three-day celebration draws thousands to Somogyvámos, only 30 minutes from Lake Balaton, with an exciting variety of family programs, concerts, workshops, and traditional foods. Leave alcohol, meat, and stress behind—here, the mantra is fun for everyone.
Culture, Color, and Real Vedic Weddings
Music, theater, and dance take center stage all weekend, with a full schedule of Indian dance performances, dramatic acts, insightful talks, and live music. The festival’s highlight: a real traditional Indian wedding on both Saturday and Sunday, complete with ancient rituals, lavish dress, and vibrant processions. Yes, the wedding is real! Every year, couples plan their nuptials for this weekend, allowing their families—and lucky visitors—to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime blessing.
Spirit, Beauty, and Living Traditions
Explore 5,000-year-old wisdom in Spirit Valley (Lélek-völgy) with interactive lectures on Vedic philosophy, live musical meditations, and guided Q&A sessions with the Valley’s monks. If you’re curious about Indian beauty, visit Beauty Island (Szépség-sziget) to try on silks and saris, wear traditional jewelry, get your face painted, and take home a souvenir photo. You’ll discover why Indian women’s celebrated style is world-famous.
Tastes of India and Farm Life
Foodies, get ready: the festival is a paradise for vegetarians and the veg-curious. Aroma Valley (Aroma-völgy) teems with meat-free street food—refreshing drinks, main courses, and legendary Indian desserts—plus vegan ice cream and herb-infused lemonade. For animal lovers, the Cow Protection Center (Tehénvédelmi Központ) opens its gates: meet gentle cows, learn about ethical dairy, and join expert-led tours that capture the heart of the farm.
Old Crafts, Fresh Energy
Hands-on workshops let visitors try bow-making, felting, dipping hemp paper, and even traditional clay homebuilding. Archery fans can channel their inner master marksman—Hungarian and Vedic traditions blend as guests aim with bows, invoking legendary figures like Arjuna from the Mahabharata (The Great Epic of the Bharata Dynasty). The Syama Handmade Textile Workshop (Sjáma Kézműves Textilműhely) offers a unique look at locally grown, handcrafted fabrics—there’s nowhere else in Hungary quite like it.
Workshops, Walks, and Family Fun
Everyone finds something to love at Krishna Valley. Children enjoy eco-school games, story circles, and animal petting, while adults savor herb walks, lifestyle tours, karma-cleansing pilgrimages, and ox cart rides through the 790-acre estate. The Isodyana Botanical Garden (Isodyana Botanikus Kert), founded in 2001, dazzles with 1,000 tree species and 700 kinds of herbaceous plants, including Himalayan pines, Asian bamboos, and edible-seeded conifers.
The festival’s backdrop, Krishna Valley, is Central Europe’s largest eco-village: home to 150 residents and another 300 community members in the area. Over 30,000 visitors flock here each year, drawn by the community’s peaceful, sustainable lifestyle. If every Hungarian lived as sustainably as the Valley’s residents, oil crises and climate fears would be things of the past. Their goal isn’t just environmentalism, but independence—from outside energy, chemicals, and harmful modern habits. They honor both Hungarian artisan traditions and Indian ethical concepts, merging the best of two worlds to create a gentle, fruitful way of life.
Music, Dance, and Nightlong Mantra
Evenings come alive with the Kirtan Fest—freestyle mantra concerts stretching late into the night, blending meditation and party vibes. Meet Vallabhi, the TikTok-famous monk, as he leads guided meditations and shares practical Vedic wisdom. Whether you’re young or old, with friends or family, the festival guarantees genuine smiles and good energy, all in a meat-, smoke-, and alcohol-free setting.
Why You Can’t Miss It
Set amid rolling hills, lakes, and 250,000 trees, Krishna Valley’s green haven blends spirituality, hospitality, and eco-consciousness. The Govinda Restaurant draws crowds with Ayurvedic and vegan meals using homegrown organic grains and vegetables—don’t miss their legendary dairy products from ahimsa (cruelty-free) cows.
Want full immersion? Stay overnight at the new Radhé Resort and Syám Meditation & Wellness Center (Rádhé Resort és Syám Meditációs & Wellness Központ) for a tranquil escape in the heart of Somogy’s hills. Join temple prayers and community meals, or meditate along the Yamuna riverbank if you crave solitude.
The organizers reserve the right to change programs or schedules, but one thing is certain: the Krishna Valley Farewell Festival promises cleansing fun, deeper insight, and summer memories to last a lifetime. Whether you stay for an hour or the whole weekend, everyone leaves with a smile.
