Summary: Chitrashaala 2026, held from February 10–16 at jüSTa Mukteshwar Retreat & Spa, gathers 53 artists — 24 from India and 29 international participants including Romania, Spain, Italy, Thailand, Japan, Egypt, Mauritius, Poland and Sri Lanka — for a week-long creative residency in the Himalayas.

Chitrashaala 2026 brings 53 artists to Mukteshwar for a residency that aims to fuse artistic practice with the Himalayan environment. The event runs from February 10 to 16, 2026, and for the first time this edition explicitly highlights contributions from Romania alongside participants from Spain, Italy, Thailand, Japan, Egypt, Mauritius, Poland, Sri Lanka and India.

Chitrashaala 2026: A Global Artistic Gathering

Organisers say the residency convenes a diverse group of creative practitioners to encourage cultural exchange and experimentation. This year’s lineup includes 24 Indian artists drawn from cities such as Kolkata, Baroda, Pune, Delhi, Mumbai and Rajasthan, together with 29 international artists representing a wide geographic spread.

  • Event dates: February 10–16, 2026
  • Total participants: 53 artists
  • Indian artists: 24
  • International artists: 29 (including Romania, Spain, Italy, Thailand, Japan, Egypt, Mauritius, Poland, Sri Lanka)

The residency is hosted at jüSTa Mukteshwar Retreat & Spa, perched at about 7,500 feet above sea level. The site’s panoramic views of the Himalayas and surrounding forests are intended to offer artists a tranquil environment away from daily distractions, fostering reflection and creative risk-taking.

At jüSTa, we view art as central to our interpretation of hospitality. Hosting Chitrashaala at Mukteshwar reaffirms our belief that nature and art are deeply connected. The serene surroundings of the Himalayas create a perfect environment for artists to slow down, reflect, and produce work that is deeply personal yet speaks to universal themes.

Diverse Voices and Curatorial Focus

Curator Anirudh Chari describes the selection as deliberately varied to stimulate dynamic exchanges. The programme’s curation is designed to bring artists with differing practices together so they can collaborate and challenge each other’s approaches during the residency.

We’ve curated a group of artists whose diverse backgrounds will infuse Chitrashaala 2026 with a vibrant, dynamic energy. The setting of Mukteshwar will undoubtedly inspire meaningful artistic exchanges and collaboration. It’s an exciting moment to witness the creation of powerful works that explore new dimensions of art and culture.

This edition places particular emphasis on female practitioners: organisers note a large proportion of participating artists are women, whose perspectives are expected to bring new themes and energies to the residency.

A significant portion of this year’s artists are women, and their work will provide fresh insights and perspectives. The natural beauty of Mukteshwar will certainly fuel their creative energies, leading to thought-provoking and impactful artistic expressions.

Artists painting with Himalayan mountain views at jüSTa Mukteshwar during Chitrashaala 2026 residency
Participants at jüSTa Mukteshwar will draw inspiration from the Himalayan landscape during the week-long Chitrashaala 2026 residency.

Chitrashaala's Role in jüSTa's Art Strategy

Since its launch in 2015, Chitrashaala has supported more than 500 artists, offering residencies that encourage experimentation and cross-cultural dialogue. The initiative is a core part of jüSTa Hotels & Resorts’ wider commitment to embedding art within its hospitality concept — the company displays over 1,000 original works across its properties.

What This Means for Travelers and the Art World

For visitors and the broader cultural sector, Chitrashaala 2026 highlights Mukteshwar as an emerging hub for creative exchange and experiential travel. Guests at jüSTa can expect immersive encounters with contemporary art, while artists gain a platform to develop new work influenced by the Himalayan setting. The residency reinforces how hospitality venues can play an active role in fostering artistic communities and international collaboration.

So what? Chitrashaala 2026 means travellers interested in arts and culture have a unique opportunity to experience live creative processes in a scenic Himalayan retreat, while the residency strengthens Mukteshwar’s profile as a destination for cultural tourism.