Uttarakhand Announces “Nakshatra Sabha” – India’s First Astro-Tourism Campaign

Imagine laying in a field, away from the city’s noise and chaos, just staring at the stars in the sky and feeling that unreal peace… Stargazers and lovers of the celestial night sky, we have the most exciting news for you! Astro-Tourism is coming to India!

The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board has partnered with Starscapes, an astro-tourism company, to launch ‘Nakshatra Sabha‘. This is going to be India’s first-ever annual campaign dedicated exclusively to promoting astro-tourism.

Delve into the mysteries of distant galaxies, witness breathtaking celestial events, and expand your knowledge of the cosmos. Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or a curious beginner, these sessions promise to ignite your imagination and deepen your understanding of the cosmos.

When & Where?

Nakshatra Sabha is scheduled to commence from May 31 to June 2 at George Everest, Mussoorie. It’s a 3 days/2 nights journey. Spanning until mid-2025, this campaign will offer a series of immersive events at various locations throughout Uttarakhand. It will cover dark sky potential sites in the districts of Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Nainital, and Chamoli, in addition to seminars and webinars with experts.

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What’s In Store

With activities such as stargazing, special solar observations, astrophotography contests, camping under the stars, and much more, Nakshatra Sabha promises a holistic astro-tourism experience. This is going to be a very engaging platform that brings together adventurers, astronomy enthusiasts, and travellers to gaze and explore the wonders of the universe along with enjoying the natural beauty of the state of Uttarakhand.

Nakshatra Sabha will also advocate for the preservation of dark skies, fostering a community of ambassadors dedicated to promoting dark sky conservation efforts throughout Uttarakhand. This includes the formulation of a dark sky preservation policy and its implementation over the course of the year.

Key highlights of the Nakshatra Sabha include:

• stargazing through specialized equipment,
• expert talks on astro-tourism,
• an astrophotography contest,
• special solar observations in alignment with the sun’s peak activity, and
• the active Aditya mission.

Why Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is a unique combination of abundant forest cover, easy access to major cities, nature-based tourism, a well-established hospitality sector, homestays, etc., which makes it an ideal destination for Astro-tourists from around the globe. The Secretary of Tourism, Uttrakhand is very excited about this campaign. It will aid the state economically by making it a premier destination for astronomy-focused travel.

“Uttarakhand has tremendous potential to become the go-to destination for all things related to astronomy-focused travel,” said the Secretary of Tourism, Government of Uttarakhand. “This upcoming campaign is yet another step in that direction. Nakshatra Sabha is India’s first of its kind astro-tourism campaign, and our aim is to invite visitors from across the globe to experience the magic of the universe while giving them a glimpse into Uttarakhand’s unique heritage.“

Ramashish Ray, Founder of Starscapes, added, “Over the last several years, we have been closely working with the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board hosting several astronomy-related camps besides promoting the same through our chain of experience centers and observatories in the state. We have received an overwhelming response for each of our earlier events, and that’s when we decided to curate an annual astro-tourism campaign that can be conducted on a much larger scale.“

How To Book Tickets?

People who are interested in participating in this amazing initiative can register themselves on Starscapes company’s official website at www.starscapes.zone/nakshatra-sabha-2024. Follow this step-by-step guide to register for Nakshatra Sabha 2024. 

• Scroll down on the homepage to start registering.
• Enter your details- name, address, contact details, number of people that are going, and a few other questions. Then click on submit.
• You will be taken to the registration fees window. Payment of INR 799 needs to be made online.
• After the payment, you will receive a confirmation email and text message with every detail.
• Keep the soft copy of the confirmation mail or take a printout.

The website also has a detailed day-wise itinerary, segregating all the activities.

Terms & Conditions

Astro-tourism in Uttarakhand comes with some terms and conditions. Visitors, star enthusiasts and adventurers who wish to attend the Nakshatra Sabha are required to follow these T&Cs. Take a look: 

What Is The Preservation Of Night Skies?

Have you noticed that the number of visible stars in the night sky is decreasing? It is not just about stars dying. This is because of light pollution. Light can actually cause pollution. Humans have been using too much light. But due to decreased darkness, nocturnal ecosystem imbalances. It is thus necessary to understand and conserve the natural darkness of the nighttime environment by decreasing light pollution.

Many organizations are putting efforts to protect the clarity and visibility of stars, planets, and other celestial objects. Efforts have been put into reducing unnecessary artificial light sources, reducing skyglow directing outdoor lighting downward, and advocating the use of energy-efficient lighting sources. It is necessary to support the health and living habits of nocturnal animals, promote sustainable tourism and human well-being and conserve energy. 

Local Engagement and Economic Impact

Nakshatra Sabha will offer professional training and skill development for the local people who are interested in astronomy and tourism. It will boost local economies and promote the preservation of night skies. Through this program, a community of ambassadors and experts in this field will come together to increase understanding and awareness on this subject.

With its unique geographical features and minimal light pollution, Uttarakhand is poised to become a premier astro-tourism destination in India. Nakshatra Sabha is definitely going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience you shouldn’t miss!