TBM Staff - Mumbai The 2nd Indian Lighthouse Festival in Odisha highlighted the growing importance of lighthouse tourism in India. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal dedicated key maritime projects and announced significant developments aimed at transforming lighthouses into major tourist attractions.
Two new lighthouses on Odisha’s coast, at Chaumuck in Balasore and Dhamra in Bhadrak, were unveiled, along with the inauguration of a new lighthouse in Gujarat’s Kalwan Reef and port-related projects in Odisha.
A key focus of the festival was the empowerment of coastal communities to preserve and promote these iconic structures, ensuring that lighthouses continue to serve as cultural and historical landmarks. The government plans to establish coastal societies that will engage communities in preserving these heritage sites, enhancing their role in tourism and national pride.
Lighthouse tourism has seen a tremendous rise, with over 16 lakh visitors in the past fiscal year, up from just 4 lakh in 2014. Modern facilities like museums, amphitheaters, and parks are being developed across 75 lighthouses to cater to both domestic and international tourists, creating a memorable experience. In Odisha, five lighthouses—Gopalpur, Puri, Chandrabhaga, Paradip, and False Point—have already been upgraded to boost tourism.
The festival itself featured a range of cultural activities, including sand art competitions, beach yoga, and performances by renowned artists such as Papon and Sona Mahapatra, celebrating the coastal heritage. With increasing visitor numbers, lighthouse tourism is becoming a central part of India’s efforts to promote cultural tourism and boost the blue economy, turning these once-overlooked maritime structures into vibrant tourist destinations.
