Nakshatra Sabha: India’s First Astro Tourism Campaign

 The tourism sector is a vital component of any nation’s economy, fostering regional development, supporting local businesses, and generating employment. In India, where tourism holds significant importance, the recent launch of “Nakshatra Sabha” by the Uttarakhand tourism department in collaboration with Astro Tourism Company, Starscapes, marks a pioneering venture into astro tourism. Here, we delve into the key details of this groundbreaking campaign.

Key Details of Nakshatra Sabha

Over the weekend, Uttarakhand’s tourism department joined forces with Starscapes to unveil Nakshatra Sabha at George Everest in Mussoorie. This inaugural event represents India’s foray into astro tourism, a niche that merges night sky observation, leisure, and astronomy-related outreach activities.

Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, emphasized the significance of diversifying tourism offerings beyond the state’s renowned religious destinations. The primary objective behind Nakshatra Sabha is to enrich adventure and green tourism, with a particular focus on astro tourism. The state government is also laying the groundwork for Astro Villages in various locales.

During the launch, Satpal Maharaj, the tourism minister, reiterated the government’s commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences to tourists. The event witnessed the participation of eminent personalities such as Dr. T.V. Venkateswaran from Vigyan Prasar, Dr. Dipankar Banerjee from the Aryabhatta Research Institute, Ramashish Ray (Founder of Starscapes), Dr. Prabhas Pandey from the University of Delhi, and Akash Sinha from Shiv Nadar University.

Activities at Nakshatra Sabha

Nakshatra Sabha offers a plethora of astro tourism activities including stargazing, an astrophotography competition, camping under the stars, and solar observations. Expert talks on astro tourism and astronomical demonstrations enrich the event. Scheduled until mid-2025, Nakshatra Sabha will extend its reach across dark sky sites in Pithoragarh, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Nainital districts.

Post-event, astrotourism initiatives will span various regions including Benital, Jageshwar, Harsil Jadung, and Ramnagar. This initiative not only creates employment opportunities and trains local youth but also advocates for dark sky conservation. Efforts to preserve dark skies in Uttarakhand will be bolstered through the implementation of a dark sky conservation policy, with Starscapes collaborating closely with travel partners and local communities to ensure the success of Nakshatra Sabha.

As India ventures into the realm of astro tourism with Nakshatra Sabha, it sets a precedent for innovative tourism endeavors, promising enriching experiences while fostering environmental conservation and community empowerment.