Ishaara’s Maratha Virasat Festival Debuts in Lucknow

Lucknow : A royal culinary revival has arrived in the heart of Uttar Pradesh as Ishaara launches its newest gastronomic celebration—Maratha Virasat: Flavours of the Empire—at Phoenix Palassio, Lucknow, starting 16th May. This exclusive food festival, curated by Mrs. Sonal Naik Nimbalkar Mahurkar, breathes life into lost recipes and royal dining rituals from the Maratha Empire, promising an unforgettable journey into India’s regal past.

Hosted by Ishaara, a flagship restaurant under Bellona Hospitality, the event offers a rare opportunity to taste authentic dishes once reserved for warrior kings, royal courts, and ceremonial banquets. Far removed from commercial Maharashtrian fare, the Maratha Virasat menu represents a rich confluence of history, regional diversity, and legacy.

“This is not just food—it is a reawakening of tradition,” says Mrs. Sonal, a culinary historian with ancestral ties to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. “The recipes we’re presenting span across former Maratha-ruled territories such as Kolhapur, Satara, Indore, Nagpur, Baroda, and Gwalior, each contributing its unique regional flavors and techniques. Our menu blends historical authenticity with culinary finesse.”

The Maratha culinary trail draws influences from Rajasthan, Nepal, and various allied princely states, marked by earthy ingredients, meticulously aged spice blends, and intricate cooking methods. These dishes include warrior diets rich in protein, celebratory spreads from palace kitchens, and heritage recipes passed down orally for generations.

The menu is accompanied by a curated exhibition of antique Maratha cookware, heirloom spice boxes, and rare archival photographs, offering visitors not just a meal but a cultural deep dive into Maratha tradition.

Prashant Issar, Managing Director of Bellona Hospitality, emphasizes the mission behind Ishaara’s festivals. “After reviving the culinary legacy of Undivided Punjab in Lucknow, we now turn our attention to the valor and refinement of the Maratha Empire. These are not just recipes—they are stories of resistance, ritual, and royalty.”

This initiative reflects Ishaara’s broader vision of preserving and popularizing forgotten Indian cuisines by presenting them with context and care. Every dish served during the Maratha Virasat festival is a piece of history brought to the modern plate.

For the people of Lucknow—a city with its own regal gastronomic traditions—this is a chance to explore the parallel legacy of another great empire. From spicy hunter’s meat dishes to subtly spiced vegetable preparations, Maratha Virasat offers an exquisite blend of flavor, heritage, and storytelling.

The Maratha Virasat Festival runs from 16th May onward at Ishaara, Phoenix Palassio, Lucknow. Reservations are recommended.