Think of clusters of stars finding home among the trees and lakes. That is what the state of Maharashtra looks like come to the Firefly Festival where millions of tiny fireflies (bioluminescent bugs) light up your surroundings!
When is the Firefly Festival 2024 happening?
A natural occurrence which starts soon after the first rain of the season, the firefly festival or Kajwa festival is usually observed during the last few weeks of May and the first few weeks of June. Their prime mating season (hence their abundance), we recommend you travel away from the city’s light pollution to the countryside where you can find them by the millions twinkling beneath the night sky.
Where to go experience the Firefly Festival?
There are many treks and overnight campings organised during the time by local travel agencies. These prime destination spots are usually quaint villages with an abundance of forests and mountains ideal for spotting fireflies. Remember Disney’s Tangled where the sky lights up with hundreds of lanterns? Trust us, this is only better!
We have come up with a round-up of five spots a few hours from Mumbai where you can catch them in all their glory! So light up a bonfire, start the barbeque and there you have all the ingredients for a perfect getaway beneath and among a million stars!
1. Bhandardara Village
Imagine a pristine lake surrounded by tall green mountains all enveloped with a blanket of twinkling fireflies. Sounds like a page out of a fairytale right? You can set up your overnight camp by the enchanting Arthur lake or after a day’s trek watch the enigma unfold from Kalsubai Peak.
📍 Distance from Mumbai: 185 kilometres
2. Rajmachi
Situated near Lonavla, take a trek up to the Rajmachi fort surrounded by lush green forest. Once the capital of the Maratha dynasty, the trek up would give you breathtaking views of glittering fireflies all across.
📍 Distance from Mumbai: 140 kilometres
3. Prabalmachi
A popular pick for trekkings and camping enthusiasts, this trek up the mountain offers a splendid view of the scenic valleys of Prabalgad and Kalavantin Durg. Wait for the sun to set and sprinkle in some million twinkling fireflies along with a star strewn sky above. Yes, this place is exactly what dreams are made of!
📍 Distance from Mumbai: 35 kilometres
4. Igatpuri
A quaint town floundered with waterfalls, forests and lakes, this place comes straight out of a postcard. Set up camp within its beautiful jungle or its lakeside for a gorgeous view of the terrains filled with the sounds of birds and sights of fireflies!
📍 Distance from Mumbai: 120 kilometres
5. Purushwadi
A popular destination for the firefly festival, this village, not far from Maharashtra, is flocked by tourist camps set up to catch the night sky light up. Head to the Harishchandragad Forest Reserve and we promise an enchanting experience that you will never forget.
📍 Distance from Mumbai: 180 kilometers