Workshop
An Invitation to the Cosmos: Join Stargazing India's Exclusive Astronomy Crash Course at the Mandvi Beach Festival
Published on December 21, 2025 by Nishant Gor

Imagine learning the secrets of the cosmos not in a classroom, but on the golden sands of a picturesque coast, with the serene sounds of the Arabian Sea as your soundtrack and the vibrant energy of a cultural festival all around you. This is the unique experience offered at the Mandvi Beach Festival, where Stargazing India presents an unparalleled opportunity to transform your curiosity about the night sky into practical, hands-on expertise. This exclusive program is strategically designed to serve as a launchpad for aspiring astronomers, science communicators, and passionate enthusiasts, providing a direct pathway from foundational knowledge to real-world application in one of India's most scenic locations.
A Universe of Opportunity Awaits
This immersive crash course offers a comprehensive blend of theory, practical skills, and professional experience. Here is a summary of this exceptional opportunity:
- What: An exclusive 11-Day Crash Course with a real-time Field Internship, covering everything from celestial navigation to advanced astrophotography.
- Where: The scenic Mandvi Beach, held amidst the cultural festivities of the Mandvi Beach Festival organized by Gujarat Tourism.
- When: December 21st to 31st, 2025, with sessions held daily from 06:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
- Who: An expert-led program curated and conducted by Stargazing India, one of India’s leading astronomy education and astro-tourism organizations.
- Cost: No fee is charged; our only fee is your commitment and passion for learning.
This program is more than a course; it is a journey set against the breathtaking backdrop of Gujarat’s coastline.
The Venue: Where Golden Sands Meet Starry Skies
The selection of Mandvi Beach as the venue for this astronomical journey is a deliberate, strategic choice. The location provides a rare blend of natural tranquility and festive energy, creating an immersive learning environment that is both inspiring and unforgettable. The serene coastal setting, far from the light pollution of major cities, offers pristine views of the night sky, while the concurrent Mandvi Beach Festival infuses the experience with the rich cultural fabric of the Kutch region.
Mandvi Beach offers an ideal backdrop for this program, distinguished by several key attributes:
- Natural Beauty: The beach is a picturesque and tranquil area celebrated for its golden sandy shores, clear blue waters, and serene environment. It is renowned for its stunning sunsets, providing a breathtaking transition from day to night for our stargazing sessions.
- Vibrant Atmosphere: As the course is an integral part of the larger Mandvi Beach Festival organized by Gujarat Tourism, participants are immersed in a unique fusion of scientific learning and cultural celebration.
- Recreational Hub: Beyond the curriculum, the beach serves as a recreational hub offering complementary activities such as camel and horse rides along the shore, various water sports, and kite flying, enriching the overall experience.
- Historical Context: The venue is situated in a region of deep historical significance, with proximity to major attractions like the majestic Vijay Vilas Palace and a 400-year-old shipbuilding yard that speaks to the area's rich maritime legacy.
This unique setting is brought to life by the unparalleled expertise of the organization guiding your celestial exploration.
Your Guides to the Galaxy: Meet Stargazing India
This exclusive course is curated and conducted by Stargazing India, a pioneering organization in Indian astro-tourism and astronomy education. With a legacy spanning over three decades, their leadership ensures a world-class educational experience grounded in both scientific rigor and a profound passion for the cosmos. As the official astronomy partner for major state-level tourism festivals, Stargazing India brings a level of expertise and public outreach experience that is unmatched in the field, guaranteeing that your journey into the night sky will be both enlightening and inspiring.
The credentials and extensive experience of Stargazing India provide a firm foundation for this program:
- Legacy of Passion: Founded in 1991 by veteran amateur astronomer Mr. Narendra Gor, today, it is led by Director Mr. Nishant Gor, an accomplished astronomer and photographer, continuing a multi-generational mission to share the wonders of the universe.
- Proven Expertise: Stargazing India has served as the official astronomy partner for the prestigious Kutch Rann Utsav since 2006. Their expertise is further recognized through extensive collaborations with the Madhya Pradesh and Odisha tourism boards to develop and promote astro-tourism.
- Mission-Driven Education: The organization's core mission is to foster scientific curiosity among diverse audiences—including students, villagers, and tourists—by providing accessible, hands-on experiences with telescopes and making complex science engaging through clear, compelling storytelling.
- Acclaimed Reputation: Public feedback consistently praises the Stargazing India team for being "knowledgeable and patient," with their events widely described as "amazing and memorable" and "educational and fun." This acclaimed reputation is a testament to their commitment to quality and accessibility.
This deep well of experience has been channeled into designing a comprehensive curriculum that takes you from theory to practice in just eleven days.
The Curriculum: Your 11-Day Journey from Enthusiast to Practitioner
The 11-day curriculum has been strategically designed to build your knowledge progressively, ensuring a complete and rewarding learning journey. The program begins with foundational astronomical concepts and systematically advances to practical, real-world applications. This structured approach ensures that participants not only gain theoretical clarity but also develop the practical confidence needed to handle equipment, navigate the night sky, and share their knowledge with others.
| Day | Module | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Astronomy & the Universe | Distinction between astronomy and astrology, scale of the universe, role of light and distance. |
| 2 | The Sun, Earth & Moon System | Sun's structure, seasons, day-night cycle, lunar phases, eclipses. |
| 3 | The Solar System & Planets | Terrestrial vs. gas giants, planetary features, planetary motion. |
| 4 | Stars, Constellations & Deep-Sky Objects | Stellar life cycle, identifying major constellations, nebulae, galaxies, star clusters. |
| 5 | Sky Navigation & Observation Techniques | Star hopping, using star charts, planispheres, and mobile apps. |
| 6 | Telescope Basics & Equipment Handling | Types of telescopes/mounts, assembly, alignment, safety, maintenance. |
| 7 | Practical Telescope Observation Session | Hands-on telescope use, tracking objects, focusing, documenting observations. |
| 8 | Introduction to Astrophotography | Basics of night photography (DSLR, mirrorless, mobile), Milky Way shots. |
| 9 | Advanced Astrophotography & Planning | Planetary vs. deep-sky imaging, composition, session planning. |
| 10 | Science Communication & Public Engagement | Communicating complex ideas, public speaking, scientific storytelling. |
| 11 | Live Field Internship & Public Stargazing | Assisting with live public stargazing sessions, guiding visitors, handling telescopes. |
This comprehensive training equips you not just with astronomical knowledge, but with a suite of skills for a brighter future.
Beyond the Stars: Skills for a Brighter Future
This program is designed to be more than just an astronomy course; it is an investment in developing a portfolio of valuable, transferable skills applicable to a multitude of career paths. By moving beyond academic theory and into hands-on, real-world scenarios, participants cultivate a unique blend of technical expertise and professional acumen. The skills honed here—from scientific analysis and equipment handling to public speaking and event coordination—are highly sought after in fields like education, tourism, and science communication.
Participants will leave this 11-day program with a host of tangible benefits and professional competencies:
- Practical Mastery: You will gain true hands-on experience, moving far beyond theory to master telescope handling, astrophotography techniques, and the logistics of conducting live public stargazing sessions.
- Professional Skills: The curriculum is engineered to develop essential life skills, including disciplined scientific thinking, clear public speaking, compelling science communication, and effective event coordination.
- Career Foundation: This course builds a strong and credible foundation for anyone aspiring to a future career or long-term engagement in astro-tourism, astronomy education, or professional science outreach.
- Unique Internship Experience: The real-time field internship at a major public festival is a transformative experience, providing the professional exposure and confidence needed to turn a passionate learner into a skilled practitioner.
Now is the time to take the first step on this exciting journey.
How to Join: Reserve Your Place Under the Mandvi Sky
This is a unique opportunity to gain expert-led training and a professional internship in astronomy at absolutely no cost. The program is open to all curious minds, from students to lifelong learners, who possess a genuine passion for the cosmos. With a limited number of spots available, we encourage all interested enthusiasts to register promptly to secure their place in this transformative experience.
Please find all essential details for registration below:
- Program: 11-Day Astronomy Crash Course & Internship
- Audience: Open to students, young enthusiasts, and curious learners of all ages.
- Dates: December 21st to 31st, 2025
- Time: 06:30 PM to 8:00 PM
- Location: Mandvi Beach Festival, Mandvi, Kachchh, Gujarat
- Registration & Information:
- Mr. Narendra Gor “Sagar” – +91 94282 20472
- Mr. Nishant Gor – +91 98795 54770
✨ Come, learn with the stars… and illuminate your future under the night sky! ✨