Each year, just before the first showers of the monsoon, many remote forests around Maharashtra glow with the light of thousands of fireflies that come out after dusk. This weekend, travel company Trikon will take city-dwellers on an overnight trip to Purushwadi, a tribal village situated 220 km away from Mumbai, famous for its firefly festivals. 

Since the rains have already covered this region, spotting these fireflies can be difficult, but not impossible, believes Shreekumar Krishnan, a stargazing expert and Trikon guide. “The mating season occurs a little before the rains begin, in the areas that are abundant with trees. The males use the light to attract the females. Spotting them during their peak activity is not difficult because they cover the trees, but after the rains begin their numbers decrease. However, there is still a chance to witness many of them,” he assures.