In mid-February 2021, the Maharashtra state government’s tourism department announced 20 mini-festivals across the six regions of Maharashtra. This will take place across the state from Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Amravati and Nagpur in February and March 2021 to boost tourism. The state tourism department has earmarked Rs100 lakh for organising these 20 festivals. After a difficult year due to the pandemic, Maharashtra is all set to welcome tourists again, provide an opportunity to explore the state and join in on the festivities across its length and breadth. These marquee festivals will provide exciting opportunities for tourists to celebrate the cultural heritage tourism of Maharashtra. “Last year was painful due to Covid-19,” explains Dhananjay Sawalkar, director, tourism. “So, MTDC has decided to host these 20 mini-cultural festivals to boost tourism. This is happening for the first time in Maharashtra and we have covered all the regions from Sindhudurg to Nagpur. And some niche tourism products were taken into consideration in this festival, particularly the ones like the petroglyph scene in Ratnagiri and the Turtle Festival in Velas. These are the two special festivals. Apart from these, the Junnar Grape Festival and Nashik Grape Wine Harvest are also attractive places we plan to cater to.” MTDC’s aim is “to promote less explored and less known regions and places and create awareness about these regions and boost travel and tourism”. “Our main aim is to boost the local market and agro-tourism needs – the local farmers and vendors, who have suffered in the pandemic. Through these festivals, we will boost jobs and business,” says Sawalkar, demonstrating that Maharashtra is rich in culture and heritage. Major forts, such as Panhala fort and Laling fort will also be promoted. “In Marathwada, we have covered religious places, including 1,000-year-old temples. Also, we have covered one of the cultural sites from the Ramayana circuit, ie Ramtek, which is near Nagpur. Additionally, we have also covered wildlife and bird sanctuaries,” he says. Some of the landmark festivals that will be held in Nashik district include the Grape Harvesting festival, Nandur Madhyameshwar festival, Bhandardara festival in Ahmednagar district and Laling fort festival in Dhule district. Pune district is going to witness the iconic Junnar Grape festival, while Satara district will host the Wai festival and Kolhapur district, the Panhala festival. In the Konkan region, one can visit popular festivals such as Vengurla (Sagareshwar) festival in Sindhudurg district, Shrivardhan festival in Raigad district, Katalshilpa festival and Anjarle Festival in Ratnagiri district. The festivals planned in the Aurangabad division are: Ter Festival in Osmanabad district, Kapildhara Festival in Beed district and Hottal Festival in Nanded district. Similarly, Sindkhed Raja Festival in Nagpur district, Narnala Fort Festival in Akola district and Tipeshwar Forest Festival in Yavatmal district are planned under the Amravati region.