1. NATURE OF THE PLATFORM
‘Mahaatithi’ (www.mahaatithi.org) is an intermediary technology platform developed solely to promote and facilitate tourism in Maharashtra.
This portal acts exclusively as a digital bridge connecting hotel professionals, homestay owners, and event organizers (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Vendor’) with tourists and travelers (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Customer’).
The Maharashtra Tourism Department does not own, operate, manage, or directly control any of the hotels, homestays, or services listed on this platform.
2. VENDOR'S LIABILITY
Service Guarantee: The Vendor is strictly legally bound to provide all the amenities and services explicitly mentioned in their profile on the portal to the Customer. Under no circumstances or pretext shall a Vendor deny services to a Customer with a confirmed booking.
Accuracy of Information: The Vendor bears absolute and sole responsibility for the authenticity of all information uploaded to the portal, including photographs, room tariffs, available amenities, and exact property locations. If a Customer is misled due to incorrect or fraudulent information, the Vendor will be held entirely liable.
Statutory Compliance: It is mandatory for the Vendor to comply with all relevant government licenses, local regulations, and safety standards (including Fire Safety certifications, Police Verification, and municipal approvals).
3. FINANCIAL LIABILITY & TRANSACTIONS
Direct Transactions: If a Customer and a Vendor engage in any monetary transaction outside or independently of the ‘Mahaatithi’ portal (such as via direct phone calls, cash, or personal UPI IDs), the Maharashtra Tourism Department and the portal administration shall not be held responsible for any resulting financial losses, discrepancies, or fraudulent activities.
Booking Acceptance: A booking made by a Customer through the portal is validated on the presumption that the Customer has thoroughly reviewed the Vendor’s profile and explicitly accepted the available amenities and terms.
Cancellations & Refunds: If a Customer wishes to cancel a confirmed booking, refunds will be processed strictly in accordance with the specific Vendor’s cancellation policy. Upon processing a refund, payment gateway charges and applicable government taxes are strictly non-refundable.
Payment Gateway: While transactions conducted through the official payment gateway integrated into the portal are fully secure, any delays arising from technical glitches or network failures will be processed and resolved strictly according to standard banking regulations.
4. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
The Maharashtra Tourism Department provides this platform solely as an initiative for tourism development and enhancement.
The Maharashtra Tourism Department shall not be a party to any disputes, legal claims, or disagreements arising between the Customer and the Vendor regarding the on-property experience, quality of service, food quality, or personal conduct of the Vendor.
Furthermore, the Maharashtra Tourism Department is not liable to provide any compensation or indemnification for property damage, theft, personal accidents, or losses incurred due to natural calamities.
5. SERVICE DENIAL & CANCELLATION
In cases where a Vendor denies service despite a confirmed booking (Confirmed Booking advance), it is entirely the Vendor’s legal responsibility to issue a full refund to the Customer and arrange alternative accommodations of an equivalent standard.
In such events of breach, the ‘Mahaatithi’ administration reserves the absolute right to revoke or permanently terminate the Vendor’s registration on the portal.
6. LEGAL JURISDICTION
Any legal disputes, claims, or proceedings arising out of the use of this portal or transactions executed through it shall fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of the appropriate courts within the State of Maharashtra, India.
7. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS & NOTES
For Customers: Customers are strongly advised to thoroughly read vendor reviews, operating rules, and individual policies before finalizing any booking.
For Vendors: Since ‘Mahaatithi’ is an official government-backed initiative, any misconduct, misbehavior with customers, or intentional deficiency in service may be treated directly as a violation of official government policy and guidelines.