Maharashtra Takes Ganesh Festival Route To Establish Itself As a Global Destination

Maharashtra Tourism organizes International Ganesh Festival to attract global masses to the State. “This time the prime focus behind the International Ganesh Festival is to take this heritage at the global level” – BN Patil

The Ganesh Festival, an iconic cultural extravaganza in Maharashtra, emerges as a powerful catalyst for tourism in the state. This ten-day celebration draws devotees and tourists alike, converging on the vibrant cities of Mumbai, Pune, and beyond, creating an atmosphere pulsating with devotion and festivity.

“All the visitors to Maharashtra contribute in exploring both tangible and intangible heritage of the State, which is the main attraction”, mentions Dr. BN Patil, Director, Directorate of Tourism, Maharashtra. “This time the prime focus behind the International Ganesh Festival is to take this heritage at the global level. We are inviting global tourists, audience and influencers, media to the festival to experience this extravaganza.”

While talking to T3, Patil mentions that the plan is to showcase the immersion ceremony, the process of preparing idols, special culinary experiences like preparing Modak. There is so much diversification of celebrations and culinary in different parts of Maharashtra, also in ways of offering praying and doing the rituals, that people must experience. “For which we have organized FAM tours with both domestic and foreign travel agents, guides, and other segments related to the tourism sector, so that they can take this heritage across the world. We will provide the foreign guests to offer prayers across different Ganpati pandals. We want to take this opportunity and promote Maharashtra as a global destination”, added Patil.

To ease the process of Ganpati darshan for domestic and foreign tourists, the department has deployed special traffic management system so that people can seamlessly visit the pandals. Also, different pandals are adorned with social messages, depicting the current situation, that would contribute to the common good.

To ensure Ganesh Utsav as a Green Utsav, DoT, MAH has launched a special competition, on the day of the immersion which observes the sustainable practices of the several puja committees and household celebrations, involved in the process of the Ganpati idol, usage of bio-degradable and eco-friendly materials, eliminating the utilization of plastic and other eco-harmful substances. The communication has been made through social media, inviting registrations on the portal from pandals or household celebrations across the State. Also, there is competition with regard to the best culinary experiences.

“We have also invited respective Consulate Generals, who have headquarters in Mumbai. We are offering them a special experience of preparing their own idols and offering prayers. We also have several exhibitions and student competitions running across the State on the occasion of Ganesh Festival. We have also involved students from the yacht tourism clubs in Maharashtra, so that they can learn about sustainable and eco-friendly festivals”, mentions Patil.

During and beyond the Ganesh festival, Maharashtra is the second most visited state as far as the foreign visitors are concerned – reiterates Patil. According to him, the DoT, MAH has fixed calendar for 14 tourism events, and the calendar showcases heritage, natural landscapes and sites, forts, beautiful coastline, mountains, concerning all the unknown places that are yet to be explored. “We want to shift the focus of the tourists towards the lesser-known sides of Maharashtra, like the national parks, Western Ghats, forts, ancient caves, and vibrant cultures. We are also gearing up for the Mumbai International festival in January, where every corner of Mumbai is involved, it is a festival by the Mumbaikar, for the Mumbaikar”, added Patil.