Manorama HORTUS is a multidisciplinary festival of literature and the arts, bringing together writers, artists, thinkers, humanitarians, politicians, sportspersons, entertainers, and audiences across borders. Over four days, the festival unfolds through conversations, readings, performances, exhibitions, workshops, and exchanges that move fluidly across disciplines, inviting us to encounter life up close—in its ideas, stories, and creative expressions.

Rooted in the spirit of creative inquiry, the festival takes its name from Hortus Malabaricus, the 17th‑century botanical compendium that mapped the rich flora of the Malabar coast.

Following its debut on the shores of the Arabian Sea in Kozhikode—Kerala’s first UNESCO City of Literature—and its second edition in Kochi in 2025, HORTUS now returns to Kochi, a city shaped by water, trade, and centuries of cultural exchange. Long a gateway between worlds, Kochi remains cosmopolitan, inclusive, and constantly reinventing itself.

From 3 to 6 December 2026, the third edition of HORTUS will unfold across public and familiar spaces near Vembanad Lake, welcoming readers, listeners, and seekers to explore a wide spectrum of experiences. This year’s festival brings together literature, talks and debates, stand‑up comedy, crafts, culinary arts, theatre, music, dance, visual arts, photography, performance, films, video art, and a dedicated pavilion for children—creating spaces where people can meet ideas, art, and one another with renewed closeness.

This is a space where culture comes alive in many forms—shared, inclusive, and belonging to everyone. HORTUS 2026 invites all to celebrate, ignite, enrich, and reflect.