- Mumbai and Delhi lounges turn festive gateways into showcases of Maharashtra’s culinary heritage
- Traditional favourites from Puran Poli and Misal Pav to Malvani Fish Curry and Kolhapuri Chicken Biryani take centre stage
- 11-day festive mithai experience blends classic Maharashtrian sweets with seven contemporary artisanal modak flavours
- Air India brings regional food, festive warmth and the spirit of Indian hospitality to its global traveller community
NE FOOD & HOSPITALITY BUREAU
GURUGRAM, SEPT 14
Ganesh Chaturthi is taking off on a distinctly Maharashtrian culinary note at Air India’s lounges in Mumbai and Delhi, where traditional festive flavours are being paired with contemporary creations to give travellers a taste of Maharashtra’s rich food heritage.
Beginning September 14, 2026, guests at the Air India (Adani) Lounge in Mumbai can experience a specially curated Maharashtrian Food Festival featuring an expansive menu of regional favourites, while an 11-day festive mithai experience adds traditional sweets and innovative artisanal modaks to the celebration.
The initiative brings together food, faith and regional identity, reinforcing Air India’s endeavour to showcase India’s diverse culinary and cultural heritage across its customer touchpoints.
Maharashtra on a buffet platter
The lunch and dinner buffet at the Mumbai lounge features an array of much-loved Maharashtrian preparations, including Tomato Saar, Mumbai Masala Sandwich, Khamang Kakdi, Veg Kolhapuri, Bharli Vangi, Masale Bhat, Shevgyachi Amti, Malvani Fish Curry, Kombdi Hirwa Masala and Kolhapuri Chicken Biryani.
The all-day offering adds the unmistakable flavours of Maharashtra’s street-food and snack culture, with Misal Pav, Sabudana Vada, Kothimbir Wadi, Thecha Paneer Tikka, Rawa Fish Fry, Bread Cutlet and Matar Karanji.
Together, the menu aims to recreate the warmth and variety of a Maharashtrian festive table for domestic and international travellers passing through the city.
Modak gets a global makeover
For Ganesh Chaturthi, Air India has curated a special festive mithai selection for 11 days from September 14, bringing traditional favourites such as Ukadiche Modak, Puran Poli, Karanji, Mango Kalakand and Dry Fruit Wheat Halwa to the lounge.
The traditional repertoire gets a contemporary twist with artisanal modaks in Gulkand, Kesar, Orange Chocolate Butterscotch, Sugar-Free Dates & Dry Fruit, Ragi Nutty, Carrot Creamy and Berry Cheesecake flavours.
The contrasting selection—rooted in tradition yet open to modern tastes—adds a contemporary culinary dimension to one of Maharashtra’s most cherished festivals.
Festive Maharashtra travels to Delhi
The celebrations extend to the Delhi International Maharaja Lounge, taking the warmth and flavours of Ganesh Chaturthi beyond Maharashtra and allowing guests at another key Air India hub to experience the festival’s culinary traditions.
Ganesh Chaturthi is deeply woven into Maharashtra’s cultural fabric, bringing communities together through devotion, celebration and food. Air India’s lounge experience seeks to capture that spirit by presenting regional cuisine as an integral part of the Indian hospitality experience.
Food becomes a cultural passport
The festive initiative is part of Air India’s continuing efforts to elevate the guest experience by showcasing authentic Indian cuisine and cultural stories across its customer touchpoints.
By bringing the flavours of Maharashtra into its lounges, the airline is turning a transit experience into a culinary journey—demonstrating how regional cuisine can become a powerful ambassador of India’s cultural diversity and heritage.
