The short answer: festivals like Raksha Bandhan are one of the few times the whole family is free together. Instead of hosting at home, a weekend at a resort 60–90 minutes from Pune means nobody cooks or cleans, cousins get a full day together, and the ceremony happens with a lake behind you. Book four to six weeks ahead, share dietary needs early, and ask for rooms close together. Avior Resorts in Shirwal, 58 km from Pune, has 10 lakeside rooms, lawns, a pool and a kids' play area.
Why a resort weekend beats hosting at home
| Hosting at home | Festival weekend at a resort |
|---|---|
| Someone cooks and cleans all day | Meals are taken care of |
| A few hours together around lunch | A full day and evening together |
| Children restless indoors | Space to run, play and swim |
| Photos at the dining table | Photos by the lake |
| Relatives drive home late | Everyone stays over |
What to look for in a family resort
- Rooms close together, ideally around the same garden.
- A safe pool with clear rules and supervision.
- Covered space for the ceremony and for rainy spells (festivals often fall in the monsoon).
- Step-free access for grandparents.
- A flexible kitchen: Jain, vegetarian, no onion-garlic, children's meals.
- Space for a group meal together.
At Avior, the Luxury Patio Garden – Lake View rooms open onto a shared garden, ideal for families who want to move easily between rooms. See the rooms page.
A festival weekend plan
Saturday
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 11:00 am | Families arrive; welcome drinks |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch together |
| 2:00 pm | Check in; rest |
| 4:00 pm | Pool for children; cards and chai for elders |
| 6:00 pm | Family photos by the lake |
| 8:00 pm | Group dinner |
Sunday (festival day)
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Breakfast |
| 9:30 am | Rakhi ceremony on the lawn or in a covered space |
| 10:30 am | Gifts, sweets and family photos |
| 11:00 am | Check out, or stay for lunch |
| 1:00 pm | Lunch, then drive home |
Making the ceremony special
- Bring a thali with rakhi, roli, rice, a diya and sweets.
- Choose a backdrop: the lake behind you makes the best photos.
- Plan for rain: ask about a covered space in advance.
- Let the children help decorate the thali.
- Take one big family photo, with every generation in it.
Food tips for big family groups
- Collect dietary needs from every household in advance.
- Fix a set menu with the resort for the group meals.
- Ask for an earlier children's meal.
- Bring the festival sweets from your favourite shop at home.
Group booking tips
- Book four to six weeks ahead for festival weekends.
- One person coordinates rooms, food and payments.
- Share a room list with the resort before arrival.
- Agree check-in times so families arrive together.
- Ask about the cancellation policy for group bookings.
More: group booking guide.
Activities for every age
- Children: pool, play area, lawn games, paper boats in the rain.
- Teenagers: volleyball, photography, a cousins' quiz.
- Adults: a long lunch, cards, a sunset walk.
- Grandparents: a shaded seat by the lake, storytelling, a quiet afternoon.
See our guide to a family trip with grandparents near Pune.
Monsoon tips for festival weekends
Raksha Bandhan usually falls during the monsoon (often in August), so:
- Pack raincoats and spare clothes for children.
- Drive in daylight and check weather alerts.
- Have a covered plan for the ceremony.
See our family monsoon getaway ideas.
Other festivals, same idea
The same weekend format works for Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Christmas and family anniversaries. See our Diwali getaway guide and Christmas getaway guide.
Gift ideas for brothers and sisters
- A shared experience: a day trip or a weekend together, planned by the siblings.
- A photo book of childhood pictures.
- Something handmade by the children for their aunts and uncles.
- A family tradition revived: a game or recipe from your grandparents' time.
Cousins' activities for the weekend
| Age | Ideas |
|---|---|
| Little ones | Paper boats, the play area, a short puddle walk |
| School-age | A treasure hunt, pool time, drawing competitions |
| Teenagers | Volleyball, a cousins' quiz, photography challenges |
| Adults | Cards, a long lunch, a sunset walk |
Budget tips for big families
- Choose a stay that includes meals (at Avior, dinner and breakfast are included).
- Share rooms between families with children.
- Book early to secure rooms close together.
- Agree a simple way to split costs before the trip.
If not everyone can stay overnight
Combine an overnight stay for those who can with a day outing for others. Everyone can share lunch and the rakhi ceremony, and day guests can head home after hi-tea. See day outing near Pune.
Plan your family festival weekend
Tell us your dates, the number of families and any food preferences, and we'll suggest a room plan.
- Call: +91 72619 62666
- WhatsApp: +91 72619 63666
- Enquire online: contact page · packages