Maharashtra to host tourism conference in Mahabaleshwar

Mumbai: In the backdrop of the terrorist attack on tourists in the meadows of Pahalgam, the Maharashtra government is set to launch a special tourism security force coinciding with a festival in the popular hill station of Mahabaleshwar.

The Paryatan Mitra is being launched on a pilot basis.

The three-day Mahabaleshwar Mahaparyatan Mahotsav will be inaugurated on Friday by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, state Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai are among those who would be present.

Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan will attend the festival on Saturday.

Desai said that 25 trained personnel will be stationed under the supervision of the Satara Police, in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Security Corporation.

“The decision has been taken in view of increasing opportunities in the tourism sector, diversity with regards to geography and culture in the state and to give a secured tourist experience,” he added.

Hosted by Directorate of Tourism and 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.

The Satara district administration and police, Mahabaleshwar Giristhan Municipality have made arrangements for the mega festival.

Nestled in the Sahyadri Ranges of the Western Ghats, the Mahabaleshwar town located in Satara district, was the erstwhile summer capital of Old Bombay Presidency.

The town is situated at a height of about 4,500 feet, its exotic greenery, beautiful gardens, breath-taking scenery, villages, old mansions, strawberry farms, and honey attracts people across India.

The name Mahabaleshwar came from the Lord Shiva (Mahabali), the temple situated in old Mahabaleshwar, popularly known as Kshetra Mahabaleshwar. It is situated 5 km from Mahabaleshwar city.

The Krishnabai Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, also attracts people. The Panchganga Temple is one such holy and divine site that draws a huge crowd of tourists due to its religious significance. It’s a stunning ancient monument that is made at the confluence of 5 waterbodies named Krishna, Venna, Koyna, Savithri, and Gayatri.

“The three-day festival, organized in collaboration, aims to introduce tourists to the tourist attractions, local art and culture, and food culture and to increase tourism through this,” informed Desai.

As part of the festival, the Strawberry Festival and the Agritourism Festival will be hosted.

Tours to to Panchgani, Kaas Plateau, Koynanagar, Tapola, forts and other tourist places in the Mahabaleshwar area, setting up various types of tent accommodation for tourists, paragliding, paramotoring, water sports, trekking, rock climbing, horse riding are being planned.

Programs showcasing local culture, participation of renowned artists, organization of strawberry and agri-tourism festivals, construction of various types of tent accommodation for tourists, paragliding, paramotoring, water sports, trekking, rock climbing, horse riding, etc. Various adventure activities will be implemented, exhibition and sale of handicrafts of local self-help groups, local culinary arts and culture and food festival hall, visit to various tourist places and ancient temples in Mahabaleshwar.