The short version
Celebrate Diwali 2026 with a tandem paragliding flight over Kamshet: Maharashtra dates, flight options and prices, festive-week planning, gift vouchers and a calmer, greener celebration.
Diwali 2026 dates at a glance
Shubh Diwali from the whole Paragliding Mantra crew. The festival week in Maharashtra opens with Vasu Baras (Govatsa Dwadashi) on Thursday 5 November, Dhanteras on Friday 6 November, and the main celebrations - Naraka Chaturdashi with the morning Abhyanga Snan plus evening Lakshmi Puja - on Sunday 8 November. The Pune Lakshmi Puja muhurat runs about 6:24-8:24 PM (Mumbai 6:27-8:27 PM). Bali Pratipada follows on Tuesday 10 November and Bhau Beej on Wednesday 11 November. Timings vary slightly by local panchang.
The Sunday Lakshmi Puja evening is the heart of it for most families, which makes the mornings and weekdays around it lovely, unhurried windows to be on the hill.
Why Diwali week is a lovely time to fly Kamshet
The season is open and the hills are still post-monsoon green, the November air is comfortable, and morning winds over Kamshet's ridges are at their smoothest. It is genuinely one of the nicer weeks of the year to see the landscape from the air.
One honest caveat, as always: paragliding is weather-dependent and the flying call is made on the day. A festive date does not change the weather, so plan your flight the way you would any November day - pick a slot, keep the morning free, and stay flexible.
Pick your flight
The classic tandem joyride - a certified pilot, you in front, a scenic run over the ridge - is ₹2,999 on weekdays and ₹3,499 on weekends. If you want the instructor to talk you through the controls during the flight, the instructional tandem is ₹3,950.
For the passenger who wants the wild version, the acro tandem - spirals, wingovers and real G - is ₹4,500. Weekday slots are the calmer, cheaper choice if your festive week allows it.
Festive-week planning
Diwali week draws visitors from Pune and Mumbai, so book early rather than walking up. Morning slots fly the smoothest air - arrive at your reporting time, not at your launch time, and keep a backup day in mind in case the weather call goes against you.
November mornings at Kamshet can be cool at altitude, so bring a light jacket you can fly in, closed shoes and sunglasses. Leave the silk kurta for the evening puja.
Gift a flight this Diwali or Bhau Beej
If your family's gifting conversations have reached the 'what do you get them' stage, a tandem flight solves it neatly - especially for Bhau Beej, when siblings exchange gifts. Our paragliding gift voucher page explains how to buy one; the recipient chooses a flying day within the season.
Learn to fly over the holidays
For some people Diwali week is the start of a longer obsession. The beginner APPI 1 course at Kamshet is ₹18,000; it needs several weather-cooperative days of training, so it will not finish inside the festive week, but the holidays are a fine time to start ground handling or book a January course.
Fly responsibly during the festival
One request for everyone celebrating near the launch and landing zones: no fireworks or sky lanterns near the sites or the dry grass around them - they frighten pilots on approach and are a real fire risk on the slopes. Diyas over crackers is the calmer, greener choice anyway.
And a pilot's favourite rule: never pressure anyone - passenger or pilot - to fly. The weather call belongs to the flying team. If you had a late Diwali night or a drink, come back fresh the next morning; the ridge will still be there.
From last year to this one
If you want the full planning detail we published earlier, last year's guide is still up at Diwali paragliding in Kamshet 2025. Wishing you a bright, safe and wonderfully airborne festival from all of us at Paragliding Mantra.
