Press Release

Embassy of India Celebrates Bihar Diwas with a Grand Showcase of Bihar’s Heritage, Culture and Cuisine in Baku

Baku, 13 August 2026: The Embassy of India in Azerbaijan organised a grand event to celebrate Bihar Diwas on 13 August 2026, showcasing the rich civilizational heritage, vibrant culture, tourism potential, handicrafts and distinctive cuisine of the Indian state of Bihar. The event attracted an overwhelming response, drawing a large gathering that included Ambassadors from various countries and international organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, prominent personalities from government and other organisations, representatives of the business community, media professionals, social media influencers, members of the Indian diaspora, and a large number of Azerbaijani citizens.

Even before the event commenced, it had generated considerable excitement on social media, with announcements and promotional content creating significant public interest and anticipation among the Azerbaijani public.

Welcoming the gathering, Ambassador of India to Azerbaijan Shri Abhay Kumar highlighted Bihar’s unique place in India’s civilizational history. He noted that Bihar is the birthplace of Buddhism and Jainism, the heartland of the ancient Magadha Empire, and home to Nalanda, one of the world’s oldest centres of learning, as well as the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He also recalled Bihar’s association with eminent personalities such as Emperor Ashoka, Aryabhata, Chanakya, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Jayaprakash Narayan. The Ambassador underlined Bihar’s rich traditions of art, music, festivals, cuisine and craftsmanship, and invited guests to discover Bihar as a destination of history, spirituality, culture and tourism.

An important highlight of the evening was a fashion show featuring members from the Azerbaijani community as well as Indian diaspora, dressed in traditional Indian costumes representing the cultural heritage of Bihar. The presentation received tremendous appreciation from the audience and provided a vibrant visual showcase of India's traditional attire and cultural diversity.

Guests were subsequently treated to a vibrant spread of authentic Bihari cuisine, specially prepared by international chefs from India. The distinctive flavours of Bihar, including its traditional savouries and sweets, were widely appreciated by the guests. The culinary presentation offered an opportunity for Azerbaijani and international guests to experience an important and delicious dimension of Bihar’s cultural heritage.

The event also featured a display of distinctive products from Bihar, including Makhana, Bhagalpuri Silk, Madhubani prints and Dal Chadar, highlighting the state’s rich agricultural, artisanal and textile traditions.

The cultural programme added further vibrancy to the evening, with energetic music and dance performances inspired by the musical traditions of Bihar. The performances mesmerised the audience and were warmly received by the gathering, with many guests expressing their appreciation for the diversity and richness of Bihar’s cultural traditions.

The event also served as an opportunity to showcase Bihar’s considerable tourism potential, particularly its Buddhist heritage, ancient centres of learning and archaeological treasures. The enthusiastic response from the guests reflected the growing interest in discovering lesser-known facets of India beyond its more familiar landmarks.

One of the guests remarked that while India is often associated with iconic landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, the evening had offered a new perspective on the country’s vast cultural and historical diversity. The guest added that they would “surely like to visit Nalanda University in Bihar” during their next visit to India.

The celebration of Bihar Diwas is part of the Embassy of India’s continuing efforts to promote India’s rich cultural diversity in Azerbaijan and to deepen people-to-people ties and cultural understanding between India and Azerbaijan. The overwhelming response to the event demonstrated the strong interest among Azerbaijani citizens and the wider diplomatic and international community in exploring the diverse cultural heritage of India.