In an era where virtual connections are increasingly superficial, a spiritual revolution is brewing – one that harmonises ancient devotion with modern rhythms.Soul-stirring kirtans, immersive storytelling, and high-energy collective vibes with pounding drums and electric guitars are rewriting the rules of spiritual expression.Welcome to the new-age phenomenon of bhajan clubbing, where seekers of the sacred converge to experience the transcendent power of sound and community.The bhajan clubbing wave has hit Lucknow too, with Grammy-nominated Kirtaniya Acyuta Gopi Dasi bringing her mesmerising performance to the state capital. After enthralling the audiences worldwide, this award-winning author and globally loved Bhakti Yoga practitioner touched down in Lucknow last Nov with her spiritual musical concert ‘Chal Man Vrindavan’.The evening was an immersive experience, with Acyuta Gopi’s soul-stirring ‘kirtans’, devotional songs, and ‘mantra’ chanting transporting the audience to a realm of spiritual bliss. She wove in inspirational tales from Vrindavan’s sacred culture, making the experience enriching. The New York-based singer toured cities such as Hyderabad, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Delhi, Indore, Ahmedabad and Lucknow from Oct to Dec.“The wonderful thing about India is you can find Krishna anywhere, everywhere, all over the place,” says the singer, who was nominated at the Grammy Awards in 2016 for the album by Madi Das ‘Bhakti Without Border’ in the ‘Best New Age Album’ category.The trend has also caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spotlighted the rising trend in his 130th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, praising how bhajan clubbing merges spirituality with modernity while preserving the sanctity of bhajans.“Bhajans and kirtans have been the soul of our culture for centuries. Today’s youth have incorporated the spirit of devotion into their experiences and lifestyles,” the PM said.A women-only bhajan jamming evening held recently near Bargawan, on the Lucknow-Kanpur Road, brought together a community of devotees for a night of soulful music and peaceful vibes, showcasing the power of female spirituality and camaraderie.A private college near Bakshi Ka Talab on Sitapur Road in Lucknow rang in 2026 with a bhajan jamming event, ditching traditional New Year’s revelry for a soulful celebration.Over 5,000 Gen Z enthusiasts and their families came together for a devotional music extravaganza, vibing to uplifting bhajans dedicated to Lord Krishna, Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman. The evening was a serene, positivity-filled tribute to India’s rich cultural heritage.Lucknow is set to host another event on Sunday (Feb 1) – ‘Bhakti Beats’ with RJ Prateek – a 2.5-hour event promising high-energy bhajans, mantra chanting, and spiritual storytelling with a modern twist, perfect for young souls seeking a positive and uplifting experience.In a conversation with TOI, 19-year-old Abubhav Saluja, who attended the Acyuta Gopi’s event in Lucknow, says: “I’ve never experienced anything like this – the collective singing, dancing, and chanting was incredible. The energy was electric. Acyuta Gopi’s voice transported me to a different realm.”“This bhajan clubbing scene is a game-changer – it’s spirituality meeting party vibes,” says Aryan Upadhyay, 24. Stating that where music heals, devotion flows and heart connects, Somya Wadhwa, a 30-year-old teacher, says, “I felt so blessed when I attended bhajan jamming evening – the peaceful vibes while dancing to the modern bhajan beats are still with me.” The new wave has swept other cities in the state too. Lord Shiva’s abode, Kashi, hosted a soulful Bhajan Jamming & Bollywood Music night on Jan 3 – a warm and interactive musical gathering where the audiences sang along and connected through timeless tunes.On Jan 22, Suva Civic Centre in Fiji came alive with a mesmerising jamming session to celebrate two years of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. It was a massive gathering of devotion and music.Where devotion meets dance floorIn a twist to traditional worship, a Lucknow bar and club in Vibhuti Khand, Gomtinagar, recently pulsated with soulful bhajans, dancing devotees, and melodic tunes – a unique blend of spirituality and nightlife.Singer Aishwaryy Pandey believes the Gen Z bhajan jamming session marked a new era of bhakti, blending spirituality with club vibes. The event on Jan 26 kicked off with energetic renditions of ‘Ek Dantaye Vakra Tundaye’, followed by hits like ‘Kishori Kuchh Aisa’, ‘Sun Radhika Dularia’, and ‘Mata Anjani Ke Laal’.The playlist also featured ‘Phoolon Ke Saj Rahe Shri Vrindavan Bihari’, ‘Holi Khel Rahe Banke Bihari’, ‘Hanuman Chalisa’, ‘Sanu Ik Pal’, ‘Ishq’, and ‘Tose Naina Lage’. The night ended with soulful chants of ‘Bhajman Radhe’ and ‘Radha Naam’.BHAJAN BLISS AT MAGH MELAPrayagraj’s Magh Mela witnessed one of the biggest bhajan jamming nights, with 4,000 devotees grooving to Backstage Siblings soulful tunes at Parmarth Triveni Pushp Ghat in Arail, Prayagraj, on Jan 29.The event, organised by Sangam Serenity, was a spiritual explosion, blending devotion with modern beats. Hoardings across Lucknow in Hazratganj and Saheed Path hyped the event, and the crowd didn’t disappoint.“Devotion became music, music became prayer. It was a raw, real, and heartwarming night,” said an organiser.What is bhajan clubbingBhajan clubbing is blowing up in India, especially among Gen Z who are looking for a vibe that’s both high-energy and soulful. It’s all about blending traditional devotional songs with modern beats, creating an immersive experience that is perfect for collective partying with a spiritual twist. Prachi and Raghav Agarwal, the sibling duo behind Backstage Siblings, have redefined bhajan clubbing. Touted to be India’s first jamming band, they have created a loyal following with their soulful baithaks – intimate live sessions that feel like a warm hug. No fancy lights or loud beats, just a space where people can vibe together, connect, and soak in the devotion. The duo has been jamming together for about a year. For them, music has always been about connection, not competition – no need for a stage or flashy setup, just good vibes and great company. Keshavam is a devotional rock band that is crushing it with their unique blend of traditional bhajans and modern rock vibes, all about Krishna bhakti and Hindu devotional themes. With dual lead vocals by Lovish Sheetal and Prakriti Sharma Arora, this band has been making waves for the past two years. They have been performing live at Janmashtami celebrations, weddings, and spiritual gatherings across India.Bhakti beatsNo alcohol/substances | The focus is on a ‘spiritual high’Modern twist | Traditional bhajans are reinterpreted with high-energy beats, similar to a club set, allowing young people to dance and sing barefootPopularity | The trend is designed for Gen Z and young professionals seeking connection over, as one participant described, “the lonely endless scroll of social media”Growing movement | Beyond the initial ‘Backstage Siblings’ in Delhi/Mumbai, similar, organized sessions are happening across cities, including Lucknow and PrayagrajTickets | Ticket prices for bhajan clubbing events typically range from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 or more, depending on the artist and venue. Some premium events or special performances might cost even higherEntry | Some events have a minimum age limit, barring kids below 5 years. Others are open for all age groups
