After a successful first edition of Jal Mahotsav, Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) will be extending the activity-based event to a month-long festival. It will be held at Hanuwantia, a small island near the Indira Sagar Dam at Khandwa district which is being promoted by the state tourism board as a water sports complex. The island will have tent accommodations and designated adventure areas for land activities like kite flying, volley ball, star gazing, cycle tours etc.
Several water based activities like wind surfing, parasailing, water skiing, jet skiing, water zorbing and air activities like hot air ballooning, para motors will be organised, same as the last edition. Talking about the new activities this year, Hari Ranjan Rao, managing director, MPSTDC, stated, “The main attraction this year will be the two houseboats which have been built is similar style of Kerala and Kashmir houseboats. The AC boats will have three rooms, dining area and a pantry. The upper deck will be equipped to host a gathering of about 40 people.”
Rao added, “With special permission from the state forest department, we will also have access to the nearby forest which will serve as island camping areas for bird watching, trekking and treasure hunts.” Indira Sagar Dam site Punasa is one of the manmade water bodies in Asia. Due to Narmada dam’s backwaters, over 100 islands have emerged in the area which will be pursued as adventure destinations by the tourism board.
Cruise, Jalpari and motorboats facilities have been organised to transport people to the island. Special security arrangements have been made in order to ensure the safety of tourists as the event has been extended to additional 20 days.
The nearby attractions are cultural cities like Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Indore, Mandu and Mandaleshwar. The best way to reach Hanuwantia by air is to reach Indore and then commence the three-hour-long journey to the island. The nearest railhead is Khandwa which falls on the Delhi-Howrah and Mumbai-Howrah line.
