The annual heritage walk aims to raise awareness about Maharashtras forts and caves . The event is sponsored by NGO SAMPARC Balgram center .
PUNE: Over 450 locals from the Bhaje and Lohagad gram panchyats, as well as residents of Maval tehsil's villagers, are all set to welcome an estimated 8,000 people, including numerous corporates and visitors, for the annual heritage walk sponsored by the NGO SAMPARC Balgram center on December 18.The local community will play a part in the program's administration, catering, security, and other aspects.Through a 3.6-kilometer walk that is accompanied by cultural activities and feasting on local cuisine, the activity aims to raise awareness about Maharashtra's forts and caves.Around 8.30 a.m., the route takes you to Visapur Fort and Lohagad Fort, Bhaja Caves and Bedse Caves, and is marked off from there.
Amitkumar Banerjee, the founder of SAMPARC Balgram centre, said, The lineup of cultural activities includes demonstrations of lathi kathi, lezim, and mallakhamb, tutari, potraj, bhajan-kirtan, and lavani, as well as customs such as Tulsi Vrindavan and other.He said, The intention is to draw people's attention to Maharashtra's heritage monuments, which include over 800 large and small caves and 276 forts all over the state.We hope that this will lead to a movement for their conservation and safety.Local schoolchildren will be interacting with participants of the tour to discuss the state's history, customs during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha empire, and local customs in Maval. SAMPARC Balgram centre CEO Anuj Singh, said, This is the fifth edition of the heritage walk, after a shutdown during the last two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.Other than raising awareness of beautiful historical places, the festival also aims to foster a sense of belonging among people who visit Lonavala in bulk, particularly from Pune and Mumbai.He said, When we started this program back in 2016, there were barely one or two home stays in the area.Nowadays, almost every house is open to welcome visitors to their homes for a local experience. We want to boost tourism in this region as much as possible.