Come month of June, just 4 hours away from Mumbai, capital of Maharashtra you can be witness to an extraordinary natural activity. It is the congregation of millions of firefly that come out every late evening and night in the month of June as they put up a dazzling show of the lights they emit. The spectacle is seen in and around the woods surrounding Purushwadi village in Akole Taluka, Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.
Purushwadi is home to the Hindu Mahadeo Koli tribe, who are rice cultivators and herdsmen, in a matriarchal society that is believed to be protected by local goddess Zakubai. A hundred-odd thatched huts with tethered cows and goats dot winding, tree-lined paths. A phenomenon that is best viewed in the first 2 weeks of June, when the firefly emit light due to natural phenomenon called bioluminescence; it is an ideal weekend getaway from hustle and bustle of big cities like Mumbaii and Pune.
An ideal destination for camping in the woods, Purushwadi village as a tribal village in the past few years, has been maintained and promoted by Grassroutes – an NGO that bridges the urban and the rural culture, works in the village. Grassroutes has organised firefly tours in Purushwadi, sharing the profits to help the villagers and preserve its biodiversity. Located 190 kms from Mumbai and 164 kms from Pune; Purushwadi is well connected by rail and road with Igatpuri being the nearest main stop, 70 kms away before heading towards the village.
Grassroutes organises for a guide to point the way from Rajur Petrol Pump by Rajur village on the highway towards the village. Tourist can visit the village and go on walks around the village late in the evening to see the dazzling show, click photographs as well as mingle with the villagers and enjoy the local cuisine. Tourists can also try their hand at ploughing field and chopping wood, and share simple meals at the villagers’ homes.
However, there are things that visitors need to keep in mind. They can expect the place to be little bit muddy around the village because in June it is soon after the first rainfall mostly that fireflies are seen before the start of full fledged monsoon rains. They must not flash a torch at a tree full of fireflies, they go mad upon seeing the light. The fireflies are not warm, they emit light because of the phenomenon called bioluminescence; so when they sit on you, allow them to walk, don’t get scared. They are tiny pinpoints of yellow light that bob, flash and swirl down narrow lanes, some blink softly on the ground. Tourist must take care not sleep in the open at night as there may be scorpions and snakes.
Each firefly has its own Morse code of light to attract mates. This happens when an interested female flashes back from her low perch as the male flits overhead. Scientists still don’t yet know how this winged beetle regulates its lighting pattern. The bioluminescence comes from the combining of oxygen with a substance called luciferin, in cells under the bug’s abdomen. Fireflies don’t live long once monsoon starts, and they have completed the cycle of mating, laying eggs they die. Purushwadi has a landscape of light forests, grassland and small hillocks that present this surreal landscape.
Upon reaching the village tourist are allotted a tent and invited for an organic vegetarian lunch at a villager’s house. Post that they can rest for a couple of hours. Then, tea and biscuits are served early in the evening after which tourist can opt to take a stroll around the village. After an active evening, tourist are served traditional dinner comprising of puran polis and aamti. By the time their frayed city nerves begin to relax, tourist can notice glowing dots appearing from behind the trees and bushes. This officially marks the beginning of the Firefly Festival. For the next few hours, tourist can take a relaxing stroll and witness the beautiful, magical phenomenon that nature offers before retiring to bed. Early next morning tourist can either opt for a short trek or just sip bed tea and enjoy the cool weather. Then, after a simple, yet wholesome breakfast they can roam around the village to pluck berries.
Grassroutes offers trips with tent accommodation, in Purushwadi village starting from the weekend rate of ₹2200 per head and the weekday rate of ₹2000 per head, for a tent of maximum three adults or two adults and two kids. Tourist can also opt for a village homestay at ₹2200 per head on weekends. There is no electricity. The camping ground has bathrooms with running water. The costs include meals and guides, and are said to help increase the average household income f villagers by 25-35%, reduce migration by 20%, and create over 6,500 days of employment for the villagers.
While returning from visit to Purushwadi, tourist can also visit the nearby Bhandardara, to see the Wilson Dam and 1,000-year-old Amruteshwar temple. They can also trek to Ratangad Fort, said to be one of Shivaji’s favourites, and Mount Kalsubai, Maharashtra’s highest peak at 1,646m. Purushwadi can truly be one of the best weekend gateways from the mad rush of city for a monsoon hideout.
For more information, tourist can send enquiry email to info@grassroutes.co.in, call 0-8879477437 or log on to www.grassroutes.co.in/village-holidays/purushwadi/.
