Varkala to Host India's First Travel Literary Festival 'Yaanam 2025'

On October 16, 2025, the coastal town of Varkala in Kerala is preparing to host India's first-ever travel literary festival, 'Yaanam 2025'. The three-day festival, organized by Kerala tourism, is set to bring together a diverse array of voices, including renowned travel writers, vloggers, documentary filmmakers, and travel enthusiasts from India and abroad.

The festival is conceived as an interactive platform for engaging discussions and the sharing of insights and perspectives on sustainable and inclusive tourism. It aims to address the evolving demands of present-day travelers by facilitating conversations between eminent personalities from various fields, including literature, art, and culinary arts.

The inaugural session on October 17th will feature speakers such as Booker Prize winner Shehan Karunatilaka, writer K.R. Meera, and journalist Pallavi Aiyar, who will share their travel experiences and creative journeys. In addition to the insightful discussions, the festival will also host educational workshops on writing, photography, and wellness, catering to both amateurs and professionals.

The authorities have highlighted Varkala as the perfect setting for this pioneering event, providing the ideal ambiance for writers, artists, and filmmakers to come together and exchange their perspectives on the intersection of literature and travel.