Mumbai, Sep 23 (PTI) The Maharashtra Tourism Department on Wednesday said it has set up a special viewing pavilion at Girgaon Chowpatty in Mumbai to offer foreign tourists a close-up experience of the state’s cultural traditions and the grandeur during the Ganesh idol immersion ceremony.
The special pavilion will showcase Maharashtra’s unique cultural heritage to tourists, helping boost cultural tourism and promote the state’s rich identity internationally, the Tourism Department said in a statement.
The 12-day Ganesh festival will culminate on September 25 when large idols will be immersed in the sea and other water bodies after grand processions.
“Through a people-centric festival like Ganeshotsav, the government is making efforts to take Maharashtra’s unique cultural identity to visitors from across the world. By encouraging such initiatives, we are promoting the growth of tourism in the state through cultural tourism,” said Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai.
Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism) Sanjay Khandare said the special pavilion at Girgaon beach in Mumbai will offer foreign tourists an opportunity to experience cultural traditions first-hand.
“Through the pavilion, visitors will be introduced to the historical, cultural and spiritual significance of Ganeshotsav. Initiatives such as these will help showcase Maharashtra’s rich cultural heritage more effectively to audiences at the international level,” he said.
Vikas Pansare, Director of the Directorate of Tourism, said that through the special pavilion, foreign tourists will have the opportunity to learn about the various facets of Ganeshotsav and experience the immersion of idols.
“This will help showcase Maharashtra’s cultural traditions, warm hospitality, and the diverse opportunities available for cultural tourism to international visitors, ” he added. PTI SM NSK
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