India’s first lighthouse festival commenced in Goa on September 23, which will see the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways develop 75 lighthouses across the country into tourist hubs. The initiative is part of the lighthouse heritage tourism plan, and the first Indian lighthouse festival is being held in Goa from September 23 to 25.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the Indian lighthouse festival at the iconic Fort Aguada Lighthouse in Panjim, Goa. This significant event marks a transformative effort to elevate historic lighthouses across the nation into tourist destinations, a PTI report said.

The three-day festival will extend its celebration to all lighthouses throughout the country, aiming to revive their historical significance and cultural value. Dignitaries expected to attend the inaugural session include Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Tourism Shripad Naik, and Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte.

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Sonowal had previously launched the ‘Lighthouse Heritage Tourism’ campaign, with the ambitious objective of converting 75 historic lighthouses into thriving tourist destinations. The ongoing renovations of these historic lighthouses are equipping them with modern amenities and facilities to enhance visitor experience.

In his remarks on this occasion, Minister Sonowal emphasised that while lighthouses have historically guided ships to safe navigation, they will now serve as serene havens for people to immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of nature.

The initiative is designed to showcase the rich cultural heritage, significance of these magnificent structures and to harness their potential as catalysts for tourism, thus bolstering the local economy, the statement read.