Jal Mahotsav

Do you want to do parasailing and zorbing? If Goa is not in the cards for you right now, you can enjoy all such water sports in Madhya Pradesh. Yes, you heard that right! Madhya Pradesh is hosting India’s biggest water carnival - Jal Mahotsav till January 15, 2021. If you are a water sports lover then don’t forget to bookmark this event. This month-long festival was inaugurated by Forest Minister Vijay Shah on December 15. The event also witnessed the virtual presence of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. In order to ensure the safety of visitors the organisers are taking all the necessary COVID protocols during the event.

Even though it’s a water carnival there is still plenty to do on land and in the air as well at the Jal Mahotsav such as paintball, archery, tug-of-war contests, terrain vehicles for racing pleasure, zip-lining, parasailing, paramotoring and hot-air ballooning. Let’s dig deeper to know more about the Jal Mahotsav.

For those who prefer less strenuous activities can enjoy a variety of experiences such as luxury camping, relaxing spas, yoga sessions, delectable food and crafts bazaar.

About Hanuwantiya
Jal Mahotsav is held on the Hanuwantiya Island close to Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh. Hanuwantiya situated by the bank of Indira Sagar dam is an adventure tourism destination. Along with natural beauty the spot offers a wide array of water sports during ‘Jal Mahotsav’. Besides, the Narmada river will leave you in awe with its charm. The clear skies and blue waters are enough to remind one of the Mediterranean.

Activities offered
During the event kick start your day by waking up to a picture-perfect sunrise in your luxury tent. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the tented city, overlooking the beautiful Narmada. Parasail over the waters of the Indira Sagar dam or go jet skiing. If you are visiting with children then you can also opt for a motorboat or a banana ride and enjoy the waters. You can also go zorbing if you want to enjoy the water without getting too wet.

All sorts of activities involving land, water and sky have been organised to provide a perfect escapade to the visitors. Water activities involve water skiing, parasailing, banana boat rides, jet skiing and water zorbing. Air activities include parasailing, hot air ballooning and paramotoring. At the same time land-based activities such as tug of war, kite flying, bullock cart race, volleyball and cycle tour can also be done.

Forest trails and rural charms
While Hanuwantiya itself is far removed from the everyday din, a 45-minutes boat ride from here can take the family to a forest on another island. Walking through the wilderness trails can give the children a chance to enjoy simple pleasures of nature like chasing butterflies or listening to the chirping of the island’s many birds. For a night enveloped with cricket sounds and the rustle of leaves, opt to stay at the tents close to the woods on the island. Back in Hanuwantiya try the popular bullock cart ride around the nearby villages. Along the lanes the story of everyday rural life unfolds in the form of painted houses, farms and fields.

Accommodation
If you are making plans and thinking about the accommodation then don’t worry as Madhya Pradesh tourism has set up luxurious tents on the site. A temporary luxury city has also been set up to ensure tourists find accommodation without any hassle. As many as 60 luxury tents have been set up for this purpose. Check out all the Jal Mahotsav packages now.

Delectable food and shopping
No festival is complete without food and shopping and Jal Mahotsav does not disappoint you on these counts as well. There is a food court that dishes out some of the tastiest food items native to MP and this includes street food too. Make sure you visit the crafts bazaar which sells beautiful handicrafts that you can carry home as a reminder of the great times you’ve experienced.

How to reach
If you are in for a watercation, travel to Hanuwantiya Island in Madhya Pradesh and be a part of this event. Here’s how can you reach Hanuwantiya Island. Developed by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC) Hanuwantiya is one of the islands amongst the archipelago situated in the Indira Sagar river.

By air: The nearest airport to reach Hanuwantiya is Indore Airport which is well connected with the major cities in India. Hanuwantiya is located at a distance of 150 km from the airport. One can easily reach the Island by renting a car.

By rail: The closest railway station to reach Hanuwantiya is Khandwa (KNW) railway station which is at a distance of 50 km. This railway station is well-connected by trains coming from India’s financial capital city. Here is a list of trains that run between Mumbai CSMT and Khandwa. Many rental cars are available from the railway station that will take you to Hanuwantiya. You can also board a local bus to drop you at the Hanuwantiya Tapu.

By road: Hanuwantiya Island is well connected by road from Indore, Bhopal and Khandwa. Hanuwantiya is at a mere distance of 150 km from Indore. You can either rent a car or take your own car and have a wonderful road trip to reach this amazing place.

Aren’t you excited to visit the Jal Mahotsav happening in Madhya Pradesh? So, go ahead and book your spots right away! Plan a trip with your friends or family and book your train & flight tickets through Trainman app. Download the Trainman App to check PNR Status of your ticket, Running Status, Seat Availability in special trains and many such features.