The annual gala of Indian classical dance, the Khajuraho Festival of Dances, featuring some of the best known dancers and troupes, will be held this year from February 25 to March 3.

Held against the backdrop of the famous Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh, the dance festival will begin with a solo performance by noted Odissi danseuse Sonal Mansingh.

The famous dancing couple of Raja and Radha Reddy along with their group will take the stage on February 26, and their Kuchipudi performance will be followed by a solo performance by Chennai-based Bharatnatyam dancer Rukmini Vijay Kumar.

The International Centre for Kathakali and Odissi dancer Sujata Mahapatra are slated to present their performances on February 27, while on the next day, there will be a Kathak presentation by Sunayana Hajarilal, followed by a dance recital by famous Manipuri dancers Singhjeet Singh and Charusija Mathur.

A ballet performance will be made by Bhoomika Group of Narendra Sharma on March one, followed by Kathak in Sufi style by Manjari Chaturvedi's troupe on March two.

The closing day of the festival will have a duet Bharatnatyam duet by Manjari and Chitra Chandrashekhar.