ANKAHI DIARIES – Mithai, Memories & More | A Festival Storytelling Circle

About the Event

Every festival has a story. Every memory holds a feeling. And every story deserves to be heard.

India is a beautiful blend of cultures, religions, rituals and traditions. One of the things that makes it special is how we come together to celebrate festivals beyond the ones we grew up with, embracing traditions that belong to different communities, regions and generations.

But festivals are not always about celebration and happiness. For some, they bring back cherished childhood memories, family rituals, the warmth of home and a deep sense of nostalgia. For others, they may bring feelings of loneliness, grief, homesickness or memories that are difficult to revisit.

At ANKAHI DIARIES – Mithai, Memories & More, you are invited to explore the many emotions that festivals can hold through an intimate storytelling experience.

Taking place on Sunday, 25 October 2026, at 4:00 PM at Treehouse, Bengaluru, this two-hour gathering creates a welcoming space to listen, share, laugh, reminisce and perhaps even shed a tear or two.

Whether you eagerly wait for a particular festival every year or find yourself quietly dreading its arrival, your experience matters. There are no right or wrong festival stories, no memories too big or too small, and no expectations about what you should feel.

Bring your stories, your memories and your truth. Come ready to listen to others with an open heart and share only what feels comfortable.

Because festivals mean different things to different people, and every story deserves a space.

What Is ANKAHI DIARIES?

ANKAHI DIARIES is a storytelling experience centred on the thoughts, memories and emotions that often remain unspoken.

With Mithai, Memories & More, the focus turns to festivals and the personal stories connected to them.

A festival might remind one person of preparing sweets with grandparents, decorating the family home or travelling back to their hometown. For someone else, it might bring back memories of people they miss, traditions that have changed or moments they are still learning to make peace with.

This gathering makes room for these different experiences without judgement or pressure.

Rather than treating festivals as occasions that everyone must enjoy in the same way, ANKAHI DIARIES recognises that each person's relationship with tradition, family and celebration is unique.

Mithai, Memories & More: Beyond the Festive Sweets

Mithai often holds a special place in Indian celebrations. The taste of a familiar sweet can bring back memories of childhood, family gatherings, festive preparations and the people who made those moments meaningful.

Yet, the memories associated with festivals go far beyond food.

They can include:

Family rituals and childhood traditions

Celebrations shared with friends and loved ones

The feeling of returning home

Missing family members or familiar places

Traditions that have changed over time

The joy of discovering another community's celebrations

The complicated emotions that certain festivals may bring

Mithai, Memories & More invites participants to explore these connections through stories and shared experiences.

Festivals Mean Different Things to Different People

India's festivals reflect its rich cultural diversity. People often participate in celebrations beyond their own religious, regional or family traditions, finding joy in the food, music, rituals and sense of togetherness.

At the same time, a festival can carry very different meanings for different people.

One person may look forward to it all year. Another may feel lonely because family lives far away. Someone may treasure a childhood ritual, while another may associate the same occasion with loss or change.

ANKAHI DIARIES creates space for these contrasting experiences.

The idea is simple: you do not have to feel a particular way about a festival just because everyone else seems to.

A Space for Stories Without Judgement

At the heart of this gathering is the belief that personal stories deserve to be heard without judgement.

Participants are invited to share memories, experiences and reflections in a setting that values listening as much as speaking.

You do not need to have a dramatic story or a perfectly formed narrative. A small memory, a familiar tradition or a feeling you have never quite expressed can be just as meaningful.

The experience is about making room for honest stories without comparing experiences or expecting everyone to respond in the same way.

Come Ready to Listen, Share and Connect

Storytelling can create connections between people who might otherwise never discover how much they have in common.

A memory shared by one participant may remind someone else of their own childhood. A story about homesickness may resonate with someone living far from family. A joyful account of a festive ritual may introduce others to a tradition they have never experienced.

At ANKAHI DIARIES, listening becomes an opportunity to understand different perspectives and recognise shared emotions.

You are welcome to participate at your own comfort level, whether that means sharing a story, listening quietly or simply being present.

The Joy of Nostalgia

Some festival memories stay with us for a lifetime.

They might be connected to the aroma of sweets being prepared at home, the excitement of wearing new clothes, the sound of family members gathering or the familiar routines that marked a particular time of year.

These memories can make us smile, laugh or long for moments that have passed.

Mithai, Memories & More offers an opportunity to revisit such experiences and reflect on the role they continue to play in our lives.

Making Space for Difficult Emotions

Not every festival memory is joyful, and not every celebration feels the same each year.

Festivals can sometimes bring up grief, loneliness, homesickness or reminders of relationships and traditions that have changed.

This gathering acknowledges those feelings without treating them as wrong or out of place.

There is no expectation to turn every difficult memory into a positive lesson or to share anything you would rather keep private.

The aim is to create a space where different experiences can coexist and where people can listen with empathy.

A Celebration of India's Cultural Tapestry

India's cultural richness is shaped not only by its many festivals but also by the ways people participate in one another's celebrations.

Families, friends and communities often embrace traditions beyond their own, creating connections through shared meals, rituals, music and memories.

The storytelling circle reflects this spirit of openness by welcoming different perspectives on festivals and the meanings they hold.

It is an opportunity to appreciate the diversity of Indian traditions while recognising the deeply personal experiences that exist behind them.

What to Expect

Festival Stories

Listen to personal memories and reflections connected to festivals, traditions and celebrations.

Nostalgia and Childhood Memories

Revisit the experiences, rituals and familiar moments that have stayed with people over time.

Honest Conversations

Make room for the many emotions festivals can bring, from happiness and excitement to grief and homesickness.

A Welcoming Listening Space

Hear different perspectives without judgement or expectations.

Shared Experiences

Discover connections through stories about family, community, tradition and belonging.

Laughter and Reflection

Enjoy a gathering where stories may bring smiles, thoughtful moments and emotional connections.

DIY Refreshments

DIY coffee, tea and water are included, according to the supplied event details.

Two-Hour Gathering

Spend an afternoon exploring stories, memories and the many meanings of festivals.

Who Should Attend?

ANKAHI DIARIES – Mithai, Memories & More may appeal to anyone who enjoys personal storytelling, thoughtful conversations and exploring the emotional side of culture and tradition.

You may connect with the experience if you:

Love revisiting childhood and family memories.

Enjoy hearing stories from different cultures and communities.

Have complicated feelings about certain festivals.

Live away from home and miss familiar traditions.

Want to reflect on the role festivals play in your life.

Appreciate spaces where people can listen and share without judgement.

You do not need to be an experienced storyteller. You only need to be open to listening and, if you wish, sharing a little of your own story.

You Don't Have to Share Everything

Personal memories can be meaningful, but sharing them should always feel like a choice.

You can participate by listening to others, reflecting on your own experiences or sharing a story that you feel comfortable discussing.

There is no need to disclose anything deeply personal or revisit memories you would prefer to keep private.

The spirit of the gathering is to make room for stories without pressure and to respect the different ways people choose to participate.

Event Details at a Glance

Event: ANKAHI DIARIES – Mithai, Memories & More

Date: Sunday, 25 October 2026

Time: 4:00 PM

Duration: 2 hours

Venue: Treehouse, Bengaluru

Format: Storytelling and community gathering

Theme: Festivals, memories, family traditions, nostalgia and emotions

Refreshments: DIY coffee, tea and water included

Age Limit: Not specified in the supplied event details

Ticket Price: Not specified in the supplied event details

Please check the latest event listing for ticket prices, age requirements and any additional participation information.

Important Entry and Security Guidelines

By accepting, holding or using a ticket, attendees acknowledge that they have read, understood, accepted and agreed to the full terms and conditions.

The organiser reserves the right of admission and may alter the event schedule without prior notice.

Entry is permitted only after a thorough security check and through designated entrances. Re-entry is not permitted once an attendee exits the venue.

Security personnel may search ticket holders' belongings at entry. The organiser may deny entry without refund or compensation if a ticket holder refuses a required search or is found carrying prohibited items.

Prohibited Items

The following items are not permitted inside the venue or seating area:

Food and beverages

Liquids

Bottles, cans and tins

Bags

Lighters and matchboxes

Flammable items

Illegal or hazardous substances

Attendees are requested to avoid carrying restricted items and cooperate with security personnel.

Drug-Free Event and Behaviour Policy

This is a drug-free event.

Any ticket holder found using, possessing, procuring, supplying or consuming drugs, narcotics or psychotropic substances as defined under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, may be immediately evicted from the venue without refund or compensation. The organiser also reserves the right to initiate legal action as permitted under applicable law.

The organiser may refuse admission or eject any ticket holder who appears intoxicated, is under the influence of drugs, behaves dangerously or inappropriately, or engages in conduct likely to cause harassment, damage, injury or nuisance.

The organiser's decision in such matters shall be final.

Photography and Recording Policy

The use of audio or video recording equipment, including still cameras, is strictly prohibited under the supplied event terms.

Attendees are expected to comply with all applicable event and venue restrictions concerning photography and recording.

Ticket and Refund Policy

Tickets are issued in accordance with the rules and regulations of the event organiser and venue management.

Except as specifically stated otherwise, tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged, cancelled or returned once purchased.

If the organiser cancels the event, the ticket fee will be refunded. Other charges, including parking fees, internet handling fees and order processing fees, remain non-refundable.

The organiser and venue are not liable for issues arising from unauthorised copies or reproductions of tickets. A ticket is invalid for entry if its security features have been tampered with.

Personal Safety and Liability

The organiser does not accept responsibility for injuries to persons or for the loss of or damage to personal property brought to the event.

Attendees voluntarily assume the risks associated with contracting COVID-19, H1N1 or any other communicable disease or illness, whether occurring before, during or after the event, and waive claims against the organiser arising from such risks, subject to applicable law.

The event is subject to force majeure conditions. Attendees are requested to cooperate with the organiser and venue management at all times.

Event Changes and Privacy

The organiser may modify these terms and conditions at its discretion from time to time. Any secondary performances, if applicable, and the event lineup are subject to the artist's discretion.

To support a high-quality user experience, the organiser may collect certain information during booking, registration or payment. This may include personally identifiable information such as a participant's name, email address or phone number. Such information is handled in accordance with the applicable Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Jurisdiction

All disputes or claims relating to the event shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Mumbai, as specified in the supplied terms.

Come As You Are. Leave Room for Every Story.

ANKAHI DIARIES – Mithai, Memories & More is an invitation to look beyond the celebrations and explore the stories that make festivals personal.

From childhood traditions and the comfort of home to homesickness, grief and changing family rituals, the gathering recognises that every festival carries a different meaning for every individual.

Join us on Sunday, 25 October 2026, at 4:00 PM at Treehouse, Bengaluru, for two hours of listening, sharing, reflection and connection. DIY coffee, tea and water are included.

Come with a memory, a story or simply an open mind. Share only what feels right, listen without judgement and discover the many ways festivals shape our lives.

Every festival has a story. Every feeling has a place. Every voice deserves to be heard.