From Barren Land to Global Stage: The Story of Bharat Mandapam, Host of AI Impact Summit 2026

New Delhi: The state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, recently hosted the AI Impact Summit 2026, bringing together people from across the globe. What was once considered barren land is now a venue that can accommodate more attendees than the Sydney Opera House.

Spanning 123 acres in central New Delhi, this site first gained international attention in 1959 when it hosted an international agricultural fair attended by U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, amid the Cold War era.

A Forum for Public Discourse

Previously, the site also housed the Hall of Nations, which was controversially demolished overnight in April 2017, despite protests and court cases. The term “Mandapam” refers to a traditional pillared pavilion used in temples for public ceremonies. The name of Bharat Mandapam is inspired by Anubhava Mandapam, a 12th-century concept promoted by Basaveshwar to create a space for open public discussion. Today, the Mandapam serves as a modern forum for dialogue and exchange.

Design Inspired by the Yamuna

The winning design in 2016 came from Sanjay Singh of Arcop Associates (Delhi) and Simon Nunez of EDAS (Singapore). Their concept drew inspiration from the Yamuna River, which once flowed nearby. The oval shape of the building represents the river’s flow and is shaped like a conch shell, a symbol in Hindu tradition. Notably, the structure has no designated main entrance, reflecting equality and inclusivity, with every side welcoming visitors equally.

Larger Than Sydney Opera House

The main convention hall can seat 7,000 people, surpassing the Sydney Opera House, which has a total seating capacity of around 5,500. The complex also includes a 3,000-seat open-air amphitheater, six exhibition halls spanning 150,000 square meters, and a total built-up area of 390,000 square meters. The project was completed at a cost of approximately ₹2,700 crore (around $325 million).

Bharat Mandapam today stands as a symbol of innovation, dialogue, and global collaboration, turning what was once barren land into a landmark capable of hosting events of international significance.