Our parents’ and grandparents’ relationships often seem to belong to another era where people stayed together for decades, built lives around each other and found love without the endless choices that define dating today. In an age of dating apps, situationships and relationships that can sometimes feel fleeting, permanence can seem increasingly elusive. So, what made those relationships last?Perhaps part of the answer lies in something as simple as where people met. Look back at old Bollywood films, and they offer a fascinating reflection of the social world of their time. People rarely met through dating apps or carefully planned coffee dates. They met at festivals, weddings, family celebrations, fairs, community gatherings, cultural programmes and religious events, occasions where the purpose was not necessarily to find a partner, but to come together and celebrate something larger than themselves.
(Image Credit: Canva AI)
We may have more choices today, but perhaps there is something psychologically powerful about meeting someone while already sharing an experience of happiness, tradition or community. The setting becomes part of the memory , not just where you met, but what you were celebrating, whom you were with and how you felt at that moment.Could this be one reason why the old-fashioned meeting ground, the festival, the mela, the celebration or even a Ramlila still holds a special place in our collective imagination of romance? Perhaps finding love was never only about finding the right person. It was also about finding them in a moment that already meant something.
Why is a mela is special?
A good date ideally should be an experience where there is no pressure, conversations can flow easily, and both people feel connected. The melas provide exactly that. Unlike a fine-dine restaurant, the informal setting and the diverse crowd take away the pressure of having to behave a certain way.The conversation to know each other can be more meaningful and doesn’t have to be artificially orchestrated with pinterest prompts. Your conversations can even go beyond simply getting to know each other. They can revolve around food, culture, childhood or even how these spaces become examples of the dilution of class, caste and religious barriers. The sights, sounds and people around the mela can naturally give you more talking points, without having to think too hard about what to say next.The rides at the fair can give you a chance to discover traits that might otherwise stay unexplored. Who screams first? Who insists on going again? Who holds your hand when the ride gets scary? Between the adrenaline, playful teasing and those spontaneous “let’s do one more” moments, a simple ride can turn into a surprisingly easy way to break the ice. The ferris wheel can give you a moment to breathe and catch a romantic moment, a bumper car can tell you who’s more competitive. Even the question of whether your date is a front row person or a back bencher at the Dragon Boat ride can tell you more than you expected.From picking out silly souvenirs to debating about which ghost mask looks the scariest, there’s always something to react to. You get to know each other’s preferences: does she like jhumkas, or is she more of a bangle-stack girl? Does he like kurtas, or is still obsessed with toy cars? And when it comes to shopping, finding out who gets the better bargain can become something you both feel proud of or laugh about later. And if you end up buying each other a tiny keepsake along the way, you’ve got a little reminder of your first date to take home.
Best places to experience the Ramlila mela around India
Ramnagar, Varanasi- where the entire town becomes the stage
Famous for its 31-day theatrical reenactment of the Ramayana, the Ramnagar Ramlila does not stay to the bounds of a ground. The entire Ramnagar turns into a stage with different parts of the town turning into Ayodhya, Janakpur, Chitrakoot, Panchavati and Lanka. The tradition dates back to the 19th century and is recognised by UNESCO as part of India’s intangible cultural heritage. A walk through the historic town, while revisiting stories from ancient Indian scriptures, gives you and your date a chance to explore the past together in a way few experiences can match.
Ramnagar Ramlila (Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Dates: September 25- October 25, 2026Where: RamnagarBest for– heritage and immersive experience
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh- Ramlila in the land of Ram
Experiencing Ramlila at the birthplace of lord Ram gives it an unmistakable pilgrimage atmosphere. Being held at the river front, the Ramlila can be enjoyed with the ghats, temples, evening aarti and the festive atmosphere around Ram Ki Paidi. If you were planning to get the riverside experience along with a pilgrimage trip with your partner, this is the place for you.Dates: October 11 to October 20, 2026 from 07:00 PM to 10:00 PMWhere: Laxman Kila Ground (Saryu Riverfront, Ayodhya)Best for: spirituality, pilgrimage and festival photography.
Delhi- for the big, buzzing Ramlila mela
Like any other event, Delhi turns this one into a full-scale festival too. Ramlila Maidan and the Red Fort area are among the traditional centres, with elaborate sets, large crowds, performances and the much-awaited burning of Ravana’s effigy. From Luv-Kush Ramlila at the Red Fort grounds, known for its theatrical presentation and elaborate sets to Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, Mandi House offers a more structured theatrical experience. Delhi Ramlila scene offers a spot for all kinds of couples.
Red Fort Ramlila (Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Dates: October 11 to October 20, 2026 from 07:00 PM to 10:00 PMBest for: Grand productions, crowds, food stalls and carnival energy.
Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh for a Braj-flavoured celebration
Vrindavan’s Ramlila is among the places specifically recognised by UNESCO for representative Ramlila traditions. Set in the wider cultural landscape of Braj, the place lights up with devotional performances, music and theatre deeply woven into the Braj tradition.Dates: October 23, 2026, to November 5, 2026Where: Shri Rangaji MandirBest for: devotional atmosphere and traditional performing arts.
Madhubani, Bihar- Ramlila with a strong folk-culture backdrop
Madhubani is another UNESCO-recognised Ramlila tradition. An additional bonus while visiting this spot is that a visit here can also be paired with an exploration of the region’s distinctive Madhubani/Mithila art. For art enthusiasts couples and people who like to explore local art traditions this can be an enriching experience.Dates: October 11 to October 20, 2026Best for: folk art, regional culture and an offbeat festival story.