Satara Set to become a leading tourism hub in Maharashtra
The Koyna Daulat Dongri Festival 2026 concluded successfully on April 9 in Patan, located in the Satara district of Maharashtra, drawing an impressive crowd of over 2 lakh visitors and reinforcing its status as one of the most sought-after rural tourism initiatives in the state.The three days added to the schedule, announced by the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, on April 6, were instrumental in attracting more visitors to the festival.
Organised by the Department of Tourism in collaboration with the District Administration, Satara, and the Regional Tourism Directorate, Pune, the festival witnessed consistently high participation throughout its duration. Set against the scenic backdrop of the Sahyadri mountain range, the festival showcased the region’s rich cultural heritage, tourism potential, and strong community spirit.
During his visit, Shinde, expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic response from the masses and reaffirmed the government’s intention to promote Satara as a significant tourist spot both nationally and internationally. Drawing inspiration from the event’s success, Mr Shinde announced his intention to organise the Koyna Backwater Festival during the upcoming winter season, aiming to take it to the global level.
On the concluding day of the festival, Shambhuraj Desai, Minister of Tourism, Govt of Maharashtra, stated that the event had successfully brought together the natural beauty of the Sahyadris, the cultural richness, and rural life into a single, immersive experience. He emphasised that such initiatives play a vital role in generating sustainable livelihood opportunities, promoting eco-tourism, and preserving traditional art forms.
Among those who graced the festival with their presence were Dr B. N. Patil (IAS), Director, Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, Neelesh Gatne (IAS), Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, Santosh Patil (IAS), District Collector of Satara, Mrs Yashni Nagarajan (IAS), CEO of Zilla Parishad (Satara), Dr Vaishali Kadukar, In-Charge Superintendent of Police, Raviraj Desai, President of Morna Education Institution, and Yashraj Desai, Chairman of Loknete Balasaheb Desai Co-operative Sugar Factory, among others.
Combining elements of culture with adventure, the festival featured a variety of games and activities, including boating, jet water sports, paragliding, horseback riding, camel riding, and electric buggy rides, among others. Boating and jet water sports alone attracted over 13,000 visitors, reflecting strong public enthusiasm for these experiences. These attractions drew visitors from across Maharashtra, supported by strong public interest and social media engagement. Other notable aspects of this festival include agricultural and livestock exhibitions, food festivals and initiatives of women’s self-help groups.
The signature events, such as drone and laser shows and musical fountain shows, were highly appreciated by visitors. The agricultural show, which focused on the use of Artificial Intelligence in modern agriculture, was one of the most important knowledge-based events of the festival.