Koyna Backwater Festival 2026 to Give New Height to Maharashtra Tourism: Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai

Mumbai, July 30: Maharashtra Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai has said that the Koyna Backwater Festival 2026 will be organised on a grander and world-class scale, giving a major boost to the state’s tourism sector. He said the festival will showcase the perfect blend of natural beauty, adventure tourism and local culture, creating a new identity for Maharashtra as a premier tourism destination.

Desai was speaking at a review meeting on the festival held at the government guest house Meghdoot. Senior officials from the Tourism Department, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), and district administration participated in the meeting, while officials from Satara joined through video conferencing.

The meeting reviewed the previous edition of the festival and discussed measures to make the 2026 event more memorable. Plans include enhanced tent accommodation, water sports, laser and drone shows, houseboating, cultural performances and a food festival. The minister also directed officials to strengthen MTDC’s branding through digital display screens at key locations.

To elevate the festival to international standards, the government plans to introduce a carnival, floating market, horse riding, helicopter rides, kite festival, heritage tours and yoga activities. The festival is proposed to be held during the Christmas-New Year holiday season to attract tourists from across India and abroad.

Desai also instructed officials to ensure proper site inspection, traffic management, police deployment and comprehensive safety arrangements through coordinated planning among all concerned agencies for the successful organisation of the festival.