Uttar Pradesh to Host 4-day Hot Air Balloon and Boat Racing Fest from Jan 17

Varanasi: Uttar Pradesh will host a four-day hot air balloon and boat racing festival in Varanasi from January 17, the UP-Tourism Department said on Sunday.

The UP-Tourism Department released the logo of the four-day International Hot Air Ballooning and Boat Racing festival. Discussing the logo, Deputy Director of Tourism Preeti Srivastava said that the logo is in the shape of a shield, on which ‘Kashi Balloon and Boat Festival’ is written.

She said that for branding the events, the department will also be introducing blimps, inflatable balloons, and floating cylinders. The Deputy Tourism Director further added that mapping of a 3-km stretches of river Ganga, between Dashashwamedh and Namo ghats, had been done for the boat race, which will be taking place between January 17-20.

Names of the proposed teams that will participate in the race are Gangaputra, Navik Sena, Kashi Lahiri, Jal Yodhas, Kashi Keepers, Ganga Lahiri, Nauka Riders, Jal Sena, Ganga Vahini, Bhagirathi Sevaks, Gaumukh Giants and Ghat Keepers, she said.

As a part of the Hot Air Ballooning Fest which is all set to be held from January 17-20, morning flights, tethered flights, and night glows will be organized for the visitors to enjoy. Locations for the launch and possible landing sites of hot air balloons have also been finalized.

Apart from this, she also added that paramotor activities will also be organized during the fest.

The tourism department also informed that they have roped in agencies from five countries, including the United States (US), Japan, and Canada for the hot air balloon fest.

“Pilots from five countries and 12 from different parts of India will work to make the festival a grand affair,” the department said.

“It is for the first time that we will be competing in any organized state-level event. Till now we only competed in local, friendly contests,” a participant said.

This is the second time that the Department of Tourism is organizing the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Varanasi. Eight pilots from abroad and six from India participated in the 2021 event.

The balloons will take off and land on the grounds of Central Hindu Boys’ School, Ramnagar, and Banaras Hindu University (BHU).