The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, in collaboration with astro tourism company Starscapes hosted the fourth event of the Nakshatra Sabha series at Takula, Nainital.
The event drew over 100 participants from cities across India, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, as well as international attendees from the Netherlands.
Attendees of the event camped under the deodar trees, observed the winter Milky Way, and participated in storytelling sessions exploring local myths and the origins of Nainital. Guided night hikes and telescope sessions offered views of celestial objects such as planets, the Andromeda Galaxy, and nebulae, combining education with wonder.
A lecture by Professor Ankit Sule of the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education delved into the significance of Nakshatras in ancient calendars and their influence on early civilizations.
Sachin Kurve, secretary tourism and CEO of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, said, “Each event of Nakshatra Sabha is showcasing the untapped potential of some of Uttarakhand’s most unexplored yet stunning locations. From the historic George Everest in Mussoorie to picturesque views of Takula, Nainital, each destination has brought its own unique charm to the campaign. We are now halfway through the first leg of the campaign, and the response has been truly tremendous. These events are redefining how people connect with Uttarakhand’s beauty and heritage.”
Ramashish Ray, founder of Starscapes, highlighted the success of the event, stating, “Inspite of this being the fourth event in the series, the interest is only increasing, and this showcases the kind of potential astro tourism has in India. Initiatives like this not only ignite curiosity about the universe but also make us closer to nature. It’s great to see Uttarakhand emerge as a hub for astro tourism and unique travel experiences like this.”
The Takula event marked the final chapter of Nakshatra Sabha for 2024, with the campaign set to continue through mid-2025.