Jantar Mantar is back in the headlines, and this time, it’s surprisingly not about protests or politics. The cherished 18th-century monument in central Delhi is set to join the India Biennale 2026, turning its stone structures into a backdrop for exhibitions, performances and curated experiences.

The first India Art, Architecture and Design Biennale was held at the Red Fort in 2023 and drew a fair bit of attention. The 2026 edition, however, is being pitched as a far bigger affair, because it’s bringing together creative voices from more than 20 countries, including France, Italy, Hungary, Switzerland and Sri Lanka.

Jantar Mantar’s proposed inclusion comes shortly after the surrounding area was notified as a no-protest zone. The monument had served as a designated protest site for more than three decades before being stripped of that honour by the government on October 12. 

Where else is the India Biennale 2026 taking place?

Some of the other planned venues span some of Delhi’s most recognisable monuments, including Purana Qila, the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Hauz Khas, Agrasen Ki Baoli, Humayun’s Tomb, Lodhi Garden, Mehrauli, Qila Rai Pithora, Safdarjung Tomb, Sabz Burj, Firoz Shah Kotla, Sakri Ghumti and Choti Ghumti.

The programme will also spill into cultural institutions, including the National Museum, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, National Gallery of Modern Art, Lalit Kala Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi.

By spreading the action across monuments, museums, galleries and public spaces, India Biennale 2026 aims to turn the capital into one sprawling creative playground. But more importantly, it brings Delhi’s heritage sites and cultural spaces under one big art umbrella.

As the Biennale website says, 'For 108 days, Delhi monuments become the canvas.'

About the India Biennale 2026

Fresh from its showcase at the Venice Biennale, the Ministry of Culture is gearing up to bring the India Biennale to Delhi, kicking off on December 4, this year, and running well into March 2027. This second edition of the India Biennale 2026 takes its cue from an age-old philosophical idea from the ancient texts of Upanishads: Tat Tvam Asi, or ‘You Are That’.

The theme is all about reconnecting with ourselves, each other and the world around us. And what better place to put that idea to the test than the melting-pot of Delhi? From heritage monuments and museums to embassies, studios and city streets, the capital will become a sprawling canvas for art, design and culture.

Guided by four themes – Reflection, Rejuvenation, Renewal and Resilience – and the five senses, the Biennale invites visitors to slow down, look closer and see the city through a fresh lens. Expect everything from age-old crafts and handmade works to digital art and immersive new-media experiences. 

Look out for The Women Line of Control at Purana Qila, art installations under an exhibition titled Tuning Points, and Where Memory Meets Water, whose live exhibition format promises something a little different. There’s also a dedicated student Biennale at Purana Qila, alongside a separate mini-biennale exploring design, art and culture.

In short, Delhi is in for a city-wide art takeover. With exhibitions, installations and showcases unfolding across 108 days, there’s plenty of time to wander around the arty capital.

When: December 4, 2026, to March 21, 2027

Tickets: Free