Yaga Gathering
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Yaga Gathering is an international arts and lifestyle festival taking place in a rural lakeside location in Varena district in Lithuania.[1] The festival is known for its pagan, new-age oriented international crowd,[2] esoteric teachings, abundant decorations and a complete absence of brands or advertisements. The festival is solely supported by ticket sales.
The event usually hosts two musical stages, crafts' and healing areas, art exhibitions, kindergarten, shamanic sweatlodge. Musical stages are dedicated to live bands, psychedelic trance and other dance and chill-out electronic music. Handicraft and healing areas host workshops and lectures on traditional crafts, holistic medicine, Yoga and other wellness activities. Particular attention is given to the design of the area, innovative visual installations and land art. Most of the festival infrastructure is built using biodegradable materials. Participating artists traditionally come from more than 20 countries.
Meaning
In Sanskrit Yaga means sacrifice (Sanskrit: याग, also transliterated Yagya or Yajna) and it is word for a Vedic ritual of offering. The name of the event symbolizes spiritual rebirth.
History
In 2003 the first Shambala festival was held in Lithuania. The word Shambala (also spelled Shambhala or Shamballa) means a mythical kingdom hidden somewhere in the Himalayas. This name was chosen because it reflected the concept of the festival – it was not widely advertized and was known only by a few hundred people. Shambala was held in 2003, 2005 and 2006. It was a psy-trance oriented event. In 2007 the festival changed its name into Yaga Gathering and started to develop as a cultural event. Yaga Gathering was held in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.