Some places feel like magic, Purushwadi was one of them. This tiny village hidden between Nashik and Mumbai comes alive between May 17 and June 22 โ when trees literally glow at night. You won't hear DJs or car horns, just the soft blink of lakhs of fireflies dancing around you. Simple tents, local food, peaceful walks that's all you need to feel the nostalgia of Purushwadi. Very few fireflies are now visible in this region. Thanx to copy-paste authors some articles are still promoting as best location. It indeed was the best almost a decade ago but now in the year 2025 things have changed.
Who is this suitable for?
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ง Family Friendly โ๏ธ๐ง๐ฝ Senior Citizens โ๏ธ๐ซ๐ป Couples - Kids โ๏ธ๐งโโ๏ธ Solo Travellers โ๏ธ๐ญ๐ป๐ฉ๐ผโ๐คโ๐ฉ๐ป Group โ๏ธ
Purushwadi is ideal if you love raw nature over luxury. Families with curious kids, couples seeking quiet getaways, solo travelers chasing pure experiences, and relaxed seniors โ all find their glow moments here. No mad trekking. No loud crowds. Just walking, watching, breathing.
Note: Itโs not recommended for wheelchair or walker users, as paths are village mud-trails with stones.
Maximum number of fireflies visibility at Purushwadi
The Fireflies Festival is starting from May 17,2025 and will end on June 22, 2025. The firefly sighting starts around May 10, 2025, but barely few fireflies are visible during tht time. Proper glow begins only when it drizzles slightly. If it stays dry, sightings remain low. Smoke, Light-Pollution, and noise pollution impact a lot on the glow of fireflies. Avoid campsites that promote Bonfire, BBQ and Music.
Best Time to Visit:
Between May 24 and June 22. Aim for no-moon nights, and go on weekdays if possible โ less crowd means more glow.
Best Dates Of Fireflies Festival for Maximum Fireflies Sighting
Phase Dates
Firefly Sighting
Experience
๐ฑ Early Glow May 10โ15
๐ Low to Medium
Small patches of blinking seen in farms and village edges. Good warmup if lucky.
๐ Peak Glow May 17 โ June 22
๐ฎ HIGH
Entire village trails blink magically. Best after 8:30 PM on silent dark nights.
๐ง๏ธ Fading Glow June 24 โ 30
๐ Medium to Low
Heavy rains reduce sightings. Some dry patches still blink till month-end.
Quick Tip:
โ BBQ & Bonfire = Air Pollution = Fireflies Die.
โ Live DJ Music = Sound Pollution = Low firefly sighting.
โ Choose wisely. โ Save Fireflies โค๏ธ
What to Expect at Purushwadi Fireflies Festival
No trek, no massive crowds, But very low count of fireflies. At Purushwadi, youโll walk soft mud trails near farmlands, under blinking trees, hearing only village sounds. If the night is silent and rains stay away, youโll see fireflies twinkling like fairy lights all around you. Bring patience, bring silence โ and nature shows you magic.
Need to walk 8โ10 mins away from base to reach best zones.
Party camping with DJ, bonfire and buffet
Pure village life. Basic tents, local dinner, silent trail walks. No noise allowed.
Full trees blinking till midnight
Peak glow seen between 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Later glow thins out naturally.
Perfect Instagram shots
Glow is real but very few fireflies are visible at Purushwadi
โ ๏ธ Before YOU book a Fireflies Festival Camp or Organiser...
Donโt fall for cheap Instagram ads or fake reviews. Every year, hundreds get scammed by โ unverified organisers who use BBQs, Bonfires, loud music, and unsafe zones. Thatโs ANIMAL ABUSE not tourism.
๐งก We've listed โ๏ธ Verified vs โ Hostile organisers based on real field checks.
๐ Learn how to spot RED flags, protect your money, avoid disasters, and Save Fireflies from greedy Travel-Companies.
Purushwadi itself is a small village. Closest decent stay options are available around Rajur village and Bhandardara region:
Hotel/Resort Name
Approx Charges
Category
Anandvan Resort, Bhandardara
โน6000 โ โน11000
Luxury Stay
MTDC Resort, Bhandardara
โน2500 โ โน4500
Government Resort
Yash Resort, Bhandardara
โน3500 โ โน6000
Private Resort
Holiday Camp, Rajur
โน2200 โ โน4000
Family Cottages
Nature Leap Resort, Bhandardara
โน4000 โ โน7500
Nature Resort
๐๏ธ How is the Stay and Food?
Stay: Simple dome tents pitched near farm lands. 2โ3 people sharing tents.
Toilets: Dry-pit or mobile toilets arranged near campsites.
Food: Local Maharashtrian village meals โ bhakri, pithla, dal-rice, poha, chai.
Water: Drinking water refills available. No bottled water given separately.
Lighting: Solar lamps around camps, no generator-based flood lights.
โฟ Accessibility and Medical Info
No steep trekking needed, but terrain has uneven village trails, rocks, muddy fields.
Not wheelchair friendly. Not advisable for walkers who need sticks/crutches.
Nearest basic healthcare: Rajur Rural Hospital (~20 mins drive).
Mobile signal patchy. Jio and Vodafone work sometimes at camp sites.
Carry mosquito cream, torchlight, basic medicines for your own safety.
Reviews and Experience
AK
Ankita K. Booking Category: Family
Pure village vibes. Fireflies started blinking by 8:15 PM. Silent walk with family, best detox from city madness!
SJ
Sameer J. Booking Category: Couple
Perfect natural escape I an my husband loved it. Silent night under blinking trees simple dinner early morning fresh air. Everything was perfect. Do not expect luxory or comfort here
NR
Nidhi R. Booking Category: Solo
I went solo and found total peace. Although I felt safety is bit of concern , but may be I was too cautious. Glowing farms, starry skies the place is really down-to-earth.
RD
Rahul D. Booking Category: Group
Group of 5 friends. Walked slowly with guide. Fireflies blinked everywhere we Carried small torch with red filter to avoid disturbing them.
โ ๏ธ Firefly Season Scam Alert (Must Read!)
โ Donโt fall for Instagram offers.
โ Always book through verified websites with payment gateway, get email confirmation.
โ Scammers on Instagram usually take money via UPI or QR in personal account and then vanish.
โ If theyโre offering BBQ, Bonfire or Disco lights, or Music, report such posts as "harmful" on Instagram or to us. Such activities cause harm to Fireflies.
โ Check official website that has proper booking system backed by a bank or payment gateway and provides email confirmation.
โ Some LOW-COST operators sell your booking further to cheapest organiser. This new person takes zero responsibility and backs-off from commitment made to you earlier
โ ๏ธ Low Price = High Risk.
โ Book only with trusted organizers who display transparency, correct pricing, and give proper email confirmation.
Fireflies Festival Reference Articles
Explore important articles to help you plan better, travel safer, and enjoy the real glow of fireflies:
Please avoid bringing your pets to Fireflies Locations. There have been past incidents where local forest dogs have attacked visiting pet dogs and brutally injured the pets. For their safety and the safety of others, pets are strictly not recommended at any firefly location or forest zone.
This is a natural "Wildlife zone" not a pet-friendly tourist location.
Purushwadi Fireflies Festival โ FAQs
How long is the walk to reach glow zones?
Usually around 8โ12 minutes walking from campsite or village homes depending on exact location.
Are there proper toilets at campsites?
Yes, dry pit toilets or basic portable washrooms are arranged near campsites for use.
Are fireflies decreasing at Purushwadi?
Yes, Purushwadi has been loosing its Fireflies count since a decade. In past 2-4 yeas only 20 percent of the usual fireflies were visible.
Are bonfires or loud music allowed?
No. Purushwadi strongly discourages bonfire, music, and crowd noise because it harms firefly habitat.
Is Purushwadi good for kids?
Yes! In fact, kids love silent glow trails more than adults sometimes. Just make sure they walk slowly and no shouting around fireflies.
๐ฌ Things That Might Annoy You (But Are Normal)
Small insects, moths, and bugs are normal around farms and fields. ๐พ
Mobile signal very patchy once you leave Rajur town side. Carry offline maps if needed.
Dry toilets only. No luxury western bathrooms available.
After heavy rains, trails can get muddy or slippery. Proper shoes help.
Firefly glow not machine controlled. If people make noise or flashlights, sighting reduces.
๐ Places You Can Visit Nearby
Bhandardara Lake โ peaceful boating and lakeside chilling
Randha Waterfalls โ huge monsoon falls near Bhandardara
Kalsubai Peak โ highest peak of Maharashtra for trekking lovers
Arthur Lake โ small village lakeside morning walks
Agasti Rishi Ashram โ peaceful spiritual spot mentioned in Ramayana
