Put off the lights, celebrate the living lanterns

Memories of the 'Katyar Kaljat Ghusli' scene showing Panditji taking his little disciple to the forest in search of fireflies are still afresh. It's time to look beyond the silver screen and trail the living lanterns of earth in real life.
With the first pre-monsoon showers, the fireflies, known as the nature's neatest night lights, would come out and display a delightful show of lights at several spots around Nashik.This year, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Deccan Travel Corporation have specially planned a tourism module to cash in on the natural spectacle at Bhandardara.
"Kajwa Mahotsav 2016 started from May 20, but the real spectacle will be on for display after first major pre-monsoon shower. The MTDC has requested travel agencies, photography clubs, safety and protection agencies and local residents to cooperate in making the event successful," MTDC general manager Swati Kale said.
"Every year, the fireflies can be seen in the forests around Kalsubai peak just before the start of monsoon. Millions of fireflies settle on the fruit-bearing trees of hirda, behda, jamun, umbar and mangoes in the tribal villages of Bhandardara, Amboli ghat, Trimbakeshwar, Chindodi, Koltembhe, all within a few kilometres from Nashik. Remember, this is the mating dance of fireflies. The season is limited, but a real spectacle for the eyes," said amateur photographer Ashwin Deshmukh.
Outdoor tour organisers, adventure sports and photography clubs organise special trips to witness the festival of light and colours around Nashik. Researchers of Entomology and biology also find it as an opportunity to observe the life cycle of the unique insect. But the festival also attracts artistes, poets, and musicians, who want to relate the moment with their creativity.
"There are over 2,000 species. They have six legs and two pairs of wings, enabling them to fly with ease. A pair of big eyes could emit light in different colours right from yellow, white, reddish and pink. The wavelength interval of this light is 510 to 670 nm," said Aniket Parik, an entomology researcher.
According to Parik, male fireflies are more active while females are lazy. Males' life cycle ends with mating. Their number grows in millions before the rains. By the second week of June, this number is usually highest. And as the rain intensifies, many become food for frogs coming out of hibernation.