PM Modi visits Maharashtra tourism pavilion at Kevadia, asks about Paithani weaving

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Maharashtra Tourism Department's special pavilion at Kevadia (Ektanagar) in Gujarat. The pavilion has been set up at the events marking National Unity Day and Bharat Parv 2026. It was prepared under the leadership of Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai.

During the visit, Modi saw Maharashtra's traditional handloom Paithani saris. He asked about the craftsmanship, traditional techniques and finer points of Paithani weaving, and also learnt about the state's rich textile tradition. The visit gave him a glimpse of the state's traditional art, handicrafts, cultural heritage and the skill of its artisans. Vijay Jadhav, Deputy Director in the Directorate of Tourism, and his team welcomed the Prime Minister.

The event runs at Kevadia (Ektanagar) in Gujarat from November 1 to 15, 2026, with the Maharashtra Tourism Department taking part. Through the pavilion, built under Minister Desai's guidance, tourists from across the country are being shown Maharashtra's various tourist destinations, cultural heritage, traditional art, cuisine and handicrafts.

Vijay Jadhav, the department's divisional Deputy Director from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, is present at the venue. The pavilion has booklets giving information on Maharashtra's major tourist destinations, along with other tourism material. A live demonstration of Paithani weaving, stalls of Maharashtrian food and a variety of handicrafts are the main attractions. The state's distinctive cuisine is also being presented through the kitchen studio of the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Dadar. Various cultural programmes have also been arranged to showcase the state's folk art and cultural traditions.

The pavilion provides information on Maharashtra's forts, beaches, religious sites, scenic destinations, adventure tourism, rural tourism and cultural traditions. There is particular emphasis on presenting the state's cultural identity through traditional textile art such as Paithani, local cuisine, handicrafts and cultural programmes. It has been stated that this will give Maharashtra's tourist destinations national recognition and boost the state's tourism business, local artists, artisans and food culture.

Sanjay Yadav, Secretary of the Tourism Department, said: "The main aim of this event on National Unity Day is to introduce the cultural strengths of the country's different states, increase mutual dialogue and further strengthen the spirit of unity in diversity. Under Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai, an effort is being made to present Maharashtra's rich cultural identity, historical heritage, distinctive food tradition and the various opportunities in the tourism sector effectively to tourists from across the country. We sincerely thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coming to the Maharashtra Tourism pavilion and learning about the state's rich art, culture and traditional Paithani weaving. His visit will give Maharashtra's cultural heritage and tourism diversity wider recognition at the national level."

Vikas Pansare, Director of the Directorate of Tourism, said: "To give Maharashtra recognition as an important destination on the global tourism map, it is necessary to present the state's tourism diversity effectively in India and abroad. Under Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai, the Maharashtra Tourism Department is trying to showcase the state's tourism wealth effectively on several national and international platforms. This event at Kevadia (Ektanagar) in Gujarat gives an opportunity to take Maharashtra's historical heritage, natural beauty, traditional art, food culture and cultural traditions to a wide audience."

"We sincerely thank the Prime Minister for visiting the Maharashtra Tourism pavilion and paying attention to the state's cultural heritage. His visit will give Maharashtra's tourism wealth wider recognition at the national level, draw the attention of tourists from across the country to the state's destinations and speed up the development of the tourism sector."