Inija Trinkuniene
Highest Priestess of Romuva—Ancient Baltic Religion Community

What made the greatest impression at Lokmanthan was the focus on a theme and idea that unites society and the nation. This provides opportunities to continue spiritual traditions while presenting and nurturing one’s traditional culture. We are strong when we are rooted in our land and draw strength from sacred sources. This was evident in our interactions with the conference participants, people who came to Lokmanthan from all over India and who are making great efforts to strengthen their Indian (Bharat) identity.
It was especially important to us that we had the opportunity to present our culture to such a large and significant audience: to showcase Romuva rituals, share the story of Romuva, and sing together with the Kulgrinda Ritual Folklore Group.

Dr. Vytautas Tumenas
Ethnologist, Anthropologist and Art Historian

I was very impressed and deeply moved by the Lokmanthan event that we were invited to. It is truly an extremely interesting, voluminous, rich, and multifaceted gathering of Indian intellectuals, nurturers of spiritual and cultural traditions, and social activists. We had the opportunity to not only listen to the highest level of famous Indian classical spiritual musicians, singers, and dancers, but also performers of various folklore and tribal art groups.

The event was also held in the adjacent ethnographic museum of Hyderabad, where various regional cultural performances and dances delighted the soul. I was also impressed by the museum’s amazingly rich collection of tribal musical instruments and other folk art exhibitions. Extremely valuable and interesting acquaintances with the speakers and participants of this conference opened up. It was very meaningful to share thoughts and perspectives of future joint cultural research or simply opportunities to get to know Indian culture more deeply.

When Lithuania was discussed as the nurturer of Aryan traditions, which resisted Christian religious colonisation for the longest time in Europe (even up to the 15th century), and when we presented the Baltic traditions of our Ramuva community related to the worship of Fire, the Sun, and the Thunder God, I was deeply moved by the audience’s compassion and understanding and by a sense of communality that we have not experienced as strongly anywhere else in the world as in India. This greatly strengthens and inspires us and shows the meaningfulness of our activities.

Ieva Didziapetryte
Environmental Engineer Nature Therapy Guide, Artist, and Guardian

This was my first, long-awaited trip to India. So, it was truly a gift of fate to begin it by participating in the Lokmanthan event, where representatives from most of India’s states gathered to showcase their culture, traditions, arts, crafts, music, and languages. Illuminating speeches were delivered, and most participants were dressed in traditional attire from their regions. Throughout the event, we were treated to exquisite Indian cuisine. There were also countless fascinating conversations and new friendships.

During these few days, I had the unique opportunity to experience almost all of India from its most beautiful side, all in one place. I believe I would not have been able to do so in several months of ordinary travel. Moreover, we were taken care of with extraordinary hospitality, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the experiences with a peaceful mind and an open heart. And those experiences were truly magical—so much so that they are hard to describe in words. Such intense emotional states are rare in my everyday life, but here, I was almost always in an elevated, special state of mind.

Countless times, I found myself unable to hold back tears of infinite gratitude, happiness, the flow of powerful energy, a true sense of unity, and simply the overwhelming beauty of it all. Participating in this event will undoubtedly have a profound impact on my life. I thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, to those who created and contributed to this experience!