Readers Flock to Chinar Book Festival as Nine-Day Literary Celebration Ends in Srinagar

The Chinar Book Festival 2026 concluded in Srinagar with record attendance, bringing together thousands of readers, authors, publishers, and cultural enthusiasts for nine days of literary celebrations

on Jul 27, 2026

Book lovers browsing books at the Chinar Book

The third edition of the Chinar Book Festival came to an end on July 26, following its magnificent nine-day journey at the SKICC in Srinagar that witnessed a large number of people coming together and further strengthening the literary legacy of Kashmir.

Organized by NBT in partnership with District Administration Srinagar and NCPUL, the Chinar Book Festival included over 200 publishing houses, several hundred writers, along with numerous literary discourse sessions, cultural events, book launches, workshops and fun activities for kids.

During the course of the festival, readers of all age groups could explore various book stalls exhibiting books in English, Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri and many other Indian languages. The students, families, teachers, and literature lovers actively took part in storytelling sessions, author interactions, panel discussions, and workshops.

Some of the special guests included Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an astronaut; Imtiaz Ali, a movie maker; and Rakesh Bedi, an actor, all of whom interacted with the audience through discussions on topics of story telling, creativity, education, and innovation. The festival also had a showcase of innovations made by students, cultural shows, and digital reading programs using Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya.

The last day fell on Kargil Vijay Diwas, which included cultural programs and plays in memory of the sacrifice of Indian soldiers. According to the organizers, this year's edition of the festival was the best ever since it highlighted the increasing interest in books and literature in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to officials, the festival is helping Kashmir to continue its reputation as a place of culture and literature while also encouraging young people to read.