Skywatchers, get ready! Maharashtra launches its first-ever stargazing fest at Lonar Crater and Harihareshwar Beach
Skywatchers, get ready! Maharashtra launches its first-ever stargazing fest at Lonar Crater and Harihareshwar Beach
Looking up at the night sky used to be a simple joy, but today, city lights often outshine the stars. In an effort to bring back that lost connection with the cosmos, Maharashtra has stepped into astro-tourism with a first-of-its-kind stargazing festival at two of its most unique destinations—Lonar and Harihareshwar.
The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), marking its golden jubilee year, is organising this special festival from April 24 to 26. The initiative also aligns with International Dark Sky Week, observed globally from April 13 to 20, which encourages people to reduce artificial lighting and appreciate natural darkness.
This event is being conducted in partnership with AstronEra, a Pune-based organisation founded in 2018 by Shweta Kulkarni. An advocate for preserving night skies, Kulkarni has been actively working in the field of astronomy outreach, policy awareness, and community engagement. Through her work, she emphasises that losing dark skies is not just about missing stars, but also about losing curiosity, cultural connections, and a deeper understanding of our place in the universe. Her approach focuses on balancing development with mindful design so that natural darkness can still be preserved.
AstronEra is also an endorsed partner of Dark Sky International, a global body that works to protect areas with minimal light pollution and promotes the concept of dark sky conservation for ecological balance, human well-being, and energy efficiency.
The three-day festival will take place daily between 6 pm and 10 pm, offering a mix of educational and immersive experiences. Visitors will get to participate in guided stargazing sessions, observe celestial objects through telescopes, attend expert-led talks, and engage in interactive activities designed to simplify astronomy for all age groups.
According to MTDC officials, the aim is to promote sustainable and experience-driven tourism in the state. Managing Director Nilesh Gatne highlighted that such initiatives can open up new avenues in eco-friendly tourism, while General Manager Chandrashekhar Jaiswal noted that this concept is relatively new for Maharashtra and is expected to attract strong public interest.
The choice of locations plays a key role in the experience. Lonar, situated in Buldhana district, is globally known for its rare meteor-impact crater lake, making it an excellent spot for observing the night sky due to low light interference. Meanwhile, Harihareshwar in Raigad district—popular for its beaches, green hills, and the historic Harihareshwar Temple—offers a scenic coastal setting that combines tourism with learning.
Apart from sky observation, the festival will also focus on spreading awareness about light pollution. Sessions will explain how excessive artificial lighting affects not only stargazing but also wildlife, human health, and energy consumption. Attendees will be encouraged to adopt simple measures in their daily lives to help reduce its impact.
The initiative has received support from key state leaders, including Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai and Minister of State for Tourism Indranil Naik, along with senior officials such as Principal Secretary Sanjay Khandare, Deputy Secretary Santosh Rokade, and other MTDC representatives.
For further details, visitors can contact MTDC officials at 9930774470 (Lonar) and 8855880858 (Harihareshwar).
