]Purushwadi Fireflies Festival
Not only do urban travel enthusiasts love to visit Purushwadi, but travelers from small-town cities also come here to satiate their wanderlust. Over the past few years, the travel industry has been booming here because of its unique Fire Fly Festival, organized by Grass Routes (an organization that lets people showcase the rustic, ancient, rural India with a new lens).
What makes this destination spectacular?
Situated 71 km from Igatpuri, Purushwadi is a village well-connected with railways and an airport. This village has become the limelight owing to the festival that gives a commoner a dizzying experience. Yes! People come here from all across the globe in May and June to experience the fireflies.
What set this festival apart?
If you want to experience and know a little more about Mother Nature, visiting Purushwadi should be on your bucket list. The village is home to millions of fireflies that form a spectacle of all sorts during their mating season. Its unique fairy tale experience makes it apart from traditional music festivals.
How can you get there?
As mentioned above, Purushwadi is well connected by train and airport, so reaching this destination won’t be a hassle. Renting or taking your car is the easiest and fastest way to reach the destination. The stations in its proximity are Igatpuri (80-90kms away) and Kasara (90-100 km away). From either of the two stations, the visitor can take a bus or a jeep and reach to Rajur petrol pump and hop to another jeep to witness the bioluminescent beauty.
Airport located near it- Pune (171 km), Mumbai (200 km)
Nearest Railway Station- Igatpuri, Shirdi, Nashik
What gives this festival a singular experience?
Apart from watching these nocturnal flies, the tourists can indulge in activities like bonfire sessions and jam sessions, enjoy delectable cuisine, stay in a tent house, etc. The festival starts on May 23 and ends on June 6. So, all those who want to look at the flashy flirts don’t miss it.
Apart from that, you can immerse yourself in a typical tribal experience here. You can visit the farms, plow them, sow the seeds, and do harvesting activities, cook with the villagers, look at the villager’s lifestyle, and so on. Trekking is another activity that you can resort to.
Grassroots, the brainchild behind this festival, organizes the itinerary very carefully. So, peace of mind is guaranteed here.
Where can you find accommodation?
As told, Grassroutes organize the tiny tent house or’ a campsite. You don’t need to worry about hygiene; the organization takes care of it.
What is all you need to take to make it a memorable experience?
There are certain things that you can’t leave without. So, if you are planning to visit the Akole block of Ahmednagar district
or want to rejoice in the village inhabited by the Hindu Mahadeo Koli tribe, don’t forget to take these things with you.
Sunscreen, an umbrella if it is raining, and toiletries! And yes! Remember to take your Marathi tongue with you because people in this village understand this dialect better.
In the end. I want to conclude with this quote, “The world is a book and those who don’t travel read only a page.” So, if you want to get a breather from your daily grind or get lost in the world’s fascinating little insects, pay a visit here. You won’t regret coming here.
