MTDC launches Govinda Festival with a Spanish Twist!

At the onset of Govinda Festival - 2011, MTDC promises an international fun filled extravaganza this year with the Castellers de Vilafranca team from Spain.

Mumbai-IndiaPRwire--- Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation today announced the official launch of their proprietary event termed as Govinda Festival. The announcement was made in the presence of the Hon'ble Minister for Tourism, Maharashtra - Shri Chhagan Bhujbal; Hon'ble Minister for State for Tourism, Maharshtra - Shri Ranjeet Kamble; Hon'ble Minister for State, Housing - Shri Sachin Ahir; Consul General of Spain - Mr. Antonio Luis Bullon Camarasa; President of Sangharsh - Shri. Jitendra Awhad; Principal Secretary, Tourism, Maharshtra - Shri Anand Kulkarni and Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation - Dr. Avinash Dhakne.

The Govinda festival adds to the list of several celebrations and event led initiatives from MTDC, such as the Elephanta Festival, Ellora-Aurangabad Festival, Banganga Festival, Kalidas Festival and the Pune Festival. The Govinda Festival will be held every year on the eve of Janmashtami, and will be promoted on an international platform.

Janmashtami is celebrated all over the country with great enthusiasm. The festival marks the birth of Lord Krishna and it is a revered occasion. Celebrations like the Dahi - Handi, which defy human limits, are practiced every year on a large scale in Maharashtra, especially Mumbai, and the rest of India. The cultural extravaganza and the euphoria of the Dahi Handi event are unparalleled. This acrobatic feat of faith is an exciting event and draws attention on the domestic as well as the international front.

This year, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has facilitated the participation of the famed Castellers da Vilafranca team from Spain this year for the festive celebrations. The visit of the Spanish Team to India has been organized by a Mumbai based NGO - Sangharsh. The NGO is reputed of organizing one of the prestigious Dahi Handis in the city along with other prominent NGOs from Thane, Worli, Ghatkopar, Lalbaug, etc amongst several others. The Spanish team will compete along with the local talent to try and gain success at conquering the tallest and prestigious Dahi - Handis in Mumbai. This combined feat of acrobatics from our local teams and the Spanish Castellers will be a sight to behold.

Maharashtra as a state offers a plethora of distinguished tourism offering in terms of Heritage, Culture, History, Scenic beauty and cuisines. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation has undertaken several similar promotional initiatives to bring these unique and indistinguishable experiences of Maharashtra closer to its audience. The launch of the Govinda Festival is part of the cultural promotional mandate of MTDC, which aims to promote the culture and heritage native to the state of Maharshtra.

MTDC is responsible for the execution of the overall development strategy of the Tourism Board and aligns itself with the vision for creating a top of mind recall on Maharashtra as a tourism destination of choice. Maharashtra as a tourism destination, offers an experience for travelers with diverse preferences. Right from eco tourism to beaches, Maharashtra as a destination can be explored around the year. Mystical works of art dating back to the 2nd century BC such as the Ajanta and Ellora caves, majestic historic monuments such as the Devgiri Daulatabad Fort, Murud Janjira fort amongst hundreds others, a 720 kms of pristine coastline with serene beaches, thousands of square kms of conserved wildlife with rare and exclusive species of flora-fauna await travelers and experience seekers over their visit to Maharshtra.