Three-day tourism festival Maharashtra Mahaparyatan Utsav to kick off in Mahabaleshwar from May 2

Taking inspiration from Maharashtra’s rich history of forts, a Fort-and-Weapon Exhibition will be held near Venna Lake. Representational pic

The Maharashtra Mahaparyatan Utsav will be held at Mahabaleshwar from May 2 to 4. Organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), this three-day state tourism festival is expected to be a unique experience for visitors, with 60 luxurious five-star tents, laser shows, various tourism excursions, and a vibrant line-up of cultural events.

Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai announced the event during a press conference held at the Ministry's Legislative Press Room. The festival is being launched under the guidance of Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar with an aim to promote and brand major tourist destinations in the state every year.

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The Maharashtra Mahaparvatana Utsav will open on May 2 at 5 pm at the Golf Club Grounds in Mahabaleshwar in Shinde and Pawar's presence. The other major attendees will include tourism minister Desai, Public Works Minister Shivendra Singh Rajé Bhosale, Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Jaykumar Gore, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav Patil.

Governor CP Radhakrishnan will inaugurate the newly renovated Chhatrapati Pratapsingh Garden and the restored Petit Library on May 3.

In light of the recent attack on tourists in Pahalgam, the government has announced the formation of a Maharashtra Tourist Safety Force to ensure the safety of tourists. The force will be operational from May 3, under the Governor's supervision. It will be deployed in Mahabaleshwar for a three-month period.

What is in store for visitors

The festival will feature an array of activities, including cultural performances by renowned artists, a Fort-and-Weapon Exhibition, food festivals, adventure sports, workshops for children, helicopter rides, drone shows, temple tours, among others. Additionally, there will be sessions on water tourism opportunities, biodynamic farming, and the state's tourism policy for 2024. The Maharashtra Tourism Policy and Agricultural Tourism will also be discussed in dedicated seminars.

The festival will feature 60 luxurious five-star tents for visitors. Some of these tents will be set up near the Golf Club Grounds, while others will be located near the Mapro Garden in Mauje Bhose. Visitors will also get a chance to take in panoramic views of Mahabaleshwar, with helicopter rides available daily from 10 am to 4 pm. Adventure enthusiasts can also take part in activities such as paragliding, parasailing, and water sports at Dubhash Farm and Tapola.

Taking inspiration from Maharashtra's rich history of forts, a Fort-and-Weapon Exhibition will be held at the Chhatrapati Pratapsingh Garden near Venna Lake from 9 am to 7 pm. The exhibition will showcase replicas of 10 major forts from the Maratha Empire, along with nearly 1,000 antique weapons from the Shivaji era.

The Venna Lake Festival will be another major attraction at the event. A Laser-and-Light Show will be held in the evening on May 2 and 3, followed by a Drone Show on May 4, showcasing the rich history of Satara through 300 drones. Additionally, a ‘Kids Zone' will be set up at Seth Gangadhar Makharia Garden for children to participate in workshops on pottery, painting, storytelling, and photography.

For culinary lovers, a Food Festival at Seth Gangadhar Makharia High School will be organised over the three days, featuring a wide variety of dishes from all the regions of the state, including Marathwada, Vidarbha, Konkan, and Western Maharashtra. Additionally, special food stalls from Satara and Maan will offer unique local delicacies. A Flea Market will also be set up, where visitors can explore handicrafts and products made by local women entrepreneurs.

A grand Carnival Parade will take place on May 3 at 4 pm, with performances of traditional folk dances, including Pavli, Adivasi Dance, Vasudev, Gondhali, and Kadkalakshmi. The parade will begin at Swargiya Balasaheb Thackeray Chowk and end at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk.

For fitness enthusiasts, yoga sessions will be held at Wilson Point on May 3 and 4 from 6 am to 7 am. The sessions will be led by Dr Gajanan Saraf and his team. Morning Raagas, a musical programme featuring bansuri (flute) by Amar Oak, will also be held. A Fun Run and Cyclothon has been organised, with the Fun Run starting at Wilson Point and finishing at Aram Guest House Grounds.

The festival will also provide opportunities for visitors to explore historical temples such as Panchganga Mandir and Krishnai Mandir.

There will be experiential tours of villages, agricultural tourism, and strawberry farm visits, too.

Minister Shambhuraj Desai has expressed hope that this festival will help in promoting the historic and cultural richness of Maharashtra and attracting tourists from across the country and the globe.

Through this initiative, the state aims to position Maharashtra as a prime destination for tourism by offering a unique blend of culture, adventure, and heritage.