The third edition of the Indian Lighthouse Festival was inaugurated recently in Visakhapatnam by former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, marking the start of a two-day celebration blending culture, tourism and maritime heritage.

Held along the Visakhapatnam coastline, the festival features traditional cuisine, cultural performances, theatre, interactive zones and coastal delicacies. The opening night witnessed a vibrant Kuchipudi performance by Natya Sannidhaalaya, set against illuminated lighthouses, drawing over 3,500 visitors and creating a strong cultural and tourist turnout.

Addressing the gathering, Venkaiah Naidu said lighthouses are no longer limited to navigation but are evolving into centres of culture, community engagement and economic activity. He highlighted the role of lighthouse tourism in promoting local coastal traditions and supporting regional development, noting that 10 of Andhra Pradesh’s 17 lighthouses have been developed for tourism.

Sarbananda Sonowal said the festival aims to transform iconic lighthouse sites into vibrant tourism and cultural hubs by actively involving coastal communities. He added that developing lighthouses as festive destinations creates employment, supports local enterprises and strengthens sustainable growth in coastal regions.

A key highlight of the opening day was the participation of over 40 self-help group stalls from across Andhra Pradesh, showcasing handicrafts, indigenous products and coastal cuisine, reinforcing community participation and women-led entrepreneurship. Cultural performances from North Eastern states further added to the festival’s diversity, reflecting India’s rich regional heritage.

With more than 11,000 km of coastline and 205 lighthouses, India is repositioning these historic structures as tourism and cultural assets. The Indian Lighthouse Festival, organised by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, continues to play a central role in promoting maritime awareness, heritage conservation and coastal tourism development.