A three-day Hot Air Balloon Festival is part of the Dev Deepawali celebrations in Varanasi this year. Along with various cultural events, the Hot Air Balloon Festival will kick off on November 17th and go on till November 19th, 2021. Through this, visitors will get a bird’s eye view of Varanasi as it lights up for Dev Deepawali on November 18th.
The initiative has been taken by the UP Tourism Department in collaboration with a private tour company. Eleven hot air balloons have been arranged to be flown by pilots from the United Kingdom, Poland, Europe and India with around 500 passengers per day.
The tethered flight will take off in the morning of November 17 at 6 AM and in the evenings of November 18 and 19 from 5 PM, from four hot air balloon stations in Varanasi. Each hot air balloon will accommodate 30 riders. The ride will be for a duration of 45 minutes.
Morning flights were booked by the winners of the 5 Steps to Fly Contest held online by the organisers. For evening flights, a booking counter will be available near the venue.
Each evening of the Varanasi Balloon Festival will feature great musical and cultural performances by renowned artists. On the eve of Dev Deepawali, enjoy a special fireworks show and live music performance by band Mrigya, offering fusion music.
Ticket: Booking at Mahotsav Samiti Varanasi, Office of UP Tourism, Urban Haat, Sanskritik Chowka Ghat, Varanasi
Pricing: Rs. 500 per head
Hot Air Balloon Stations: CHS Sports Ground, BLW Sports Ground, Domri and Sigra Stadium, Varanasi
