4,000 enrol for Hot Air Balloon Festival in Araku

Visakhapatnam: Around 4,000 enthusiastic people enrolled for 2nd edition of three-day Hot Air Balloon Festival, which kick-started here at Araku Valley on Friday. The enthusiastic people enrolled to witness the 360-degree view of scenic Araku Valley while flying at an altitude of 2,500 metres high by standing inside a basket tagged to a hot air balloon with the clouds sailing overhead was a breathtaking experience for some lucky ones.

The event took place at an altitude of 1,300m above sea level of Araku Valley. Due to air traffic restrictions, the balloons ride went at 2,500 meters height even the balloons were capable to fly above 5,000 altitude.

Around 70 people among 4,000 registered people had enjoyed the balloon ride on the day after the officials picked up a lucky dip. Not only the enthusiastic who took ride on balloon flight, but also the students enjoy watching colourful balloons of different shapes going up and away, that too with the help of simple law of physics that hot air is lighter and goes up. The festival featured 20 hot air balloons belonging to 15 different countries including the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and India.

Speaking to The Hans India, District Tourism Officer Purnima Devi said that as 4,000 people had registered for the 2nd edition of Balloon Festival we could only draw 70 people for ride on each day and it will be around 210 people can enjoy the ride on the fest.

In each trip a balloon carries only five members and the trip continues for over an hour around the agency scenic spot from the top angle. Last year the bad weather with seasonal rains spoiled the festival on the day two.

After seeing the huge response from locals and enthusiastics, the pilots with the help of their teams inflated the balloons one after another heating the air inside balloon with a burner. After some minutes, the balloon rose above the baskets, and the process was thrilling to watch, added Purnima Devi.

Anjani Kumar, a person who had witnessed the air view for the first time in hot air balloon ride, expressed his happiness even he was a little bit scared before the ride. “However, there’s no feeling of speed or ascension, yet you can see that you are moving.

You feel like standing thousands of feet in the air. I could see the 360-degree view of charming Araku valley. I thank tourism and other officials for giving such a joyful ride at free of cost,” he added.

The balloons also created a night glow as they were kept anchored at NTR ground. The balloons were going up to 50-60 ft in the night. The balloons illuminated the Araku valley sky as the burner flashed.