Varanasi: The skies above Kashi are set to come alive with colour and adventure once again as hot air balloon rides return to the city from Nov 15. Tourists and locals will soon soar nearly 1,000 ft above the ground, taking in breathtaking views of the mythological ghats along the Ganga and the city’s iconic landmarks.The much-awaited attraction rekindles memories of the successful ballooning events held in 2021 and 2023, when large numbers of visitors experienced the thrill of seeing Varanasi from a bird’s-eye view.Varanasi Smart City Limited (VSCL) has signed an agreement with a Jaipur-based company to run hot-air balloon operations for tourism. VSCL officials said the company will bring three balloons. Some will be tethered, while others will take visitors on rides above Domari on the opposite bank of the Ganga. All operations will be conducted from Namo Ghat and Domari, they said, adding that the tariff structure is being finalised.In Nov 2021, the people of Kashi witnessed the city’s skies adorned with vibrant colours as 11 hot air balloons took off from a field near the Hanuman temple in the Domari area on the opposite bank of the Ganga. During the three-day Hot Air Balloon Fest, visitors got a chance to view the mythological ghats along the river and other parts of the city from a height of around 1,000 ft while enjoying the thrill of a hot air balloon ride.The pilots, including four from India, two each from Poland and the UK, and one each from Lithuania, Finland and the Netherlands, were guided by the airport’s air traffic control system. The balloons landed at Shivpur Link Road, Pisaur Bridge, Daniyalpur, Lohta, Berhauli and Pinezka on the city outskirts, as well as at the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth ground.The festival witnessed strong participation from ticketed visitors, while the tethered balloons also enabled locals and tourists to view the ghats from the sand bed on the opposite bank of the river.Again in 2023, the UP tourism department hosted a four-day International Hot Air Ballooning and Boat Racing Festival in Varanasi in Jan.
