Sitting on a human size basket on a colourful huge balloon and flying over the city seems like a surreal and exhilarating experience. Think of how beautiful the view would be from the top, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, enjoying the fresh breeze while floating on the clouds.
All this might look like a dream to many but the people of Varanasi recently experienced all this and more during the ‘Kashi Balloon and Boat Festival’.
To boost tourism and encourage people to explore Uttar Pradesh, the UP government launched the festival in 2021.
The little munchkins enjoying the delirious rides, reaching the skies of their dreams during the #KashiBalloonFestival.
Watch how!#BalloonAndBoatFestival #Kashi #Varanasi #UPNahiDekhaTohIndiaNahiDekha #UttarPradesh #InvestInUP #InvestInTourism #RethinkTourism pic.twitter.com/snclgOc44n— UP Tourism (@uptourismgov) January 18, 2023
This year, the event was reportedly organized between January 17 to January 20 in Varanasi.
The city on the river Ganga saw scores of people gathered to witness the marvelous fest.
Some lucky ones also had the opportunity to have a bird’s eye view of the spiritual capital of India.
#Kashi touching the skies – a beautiful evening!✨#kashiballoonandboatfestival #UPNahiDekhaTohIndiaNahiDekha #rethinktourism #UPTourism #UttarPradesh #Varanasi pic.twitter.com/hdMviUQJED
— UP Tourism (@uptourismgov) January 17, 2023
The internet was flooded with images of the enthralling four-day event.
Take a look at beautiful visuals of the hot air balloons hovering over Varanasi.
Lift up your spirits as you fly like a bird, hovering over the ancient city of Varanasi at the grand Balloon Festival.
Are you planning to board on this adventurous ride?
Video Credit: @harshit_pallav (Instagram)@uptourismgov #DekhoApnaDesh
1/2 pic.twitter.com/9TEF5TtFIm
— Incredible!ndia (@incredibleindia) January 19, 2023
Heads all up, balloons all over;
Kashi Balloon Festival – A Mesmerization!#KashiBalloonAndBoatFestival #kashi #Varanasi #RethinkTourism #UPNahiDekhaTohIndiaNahiDekha #UttarPradesh #UPTourism pic.twitter.com/zBLk71AauR— UP Tourism (@uptourismgov) January 22, 2023
The +1 flight of the #KashiBalloonFestival takes place – one last thrill-experience.
So many happy faces!#KashiBalloonAndBoatFestival #BalloonAndBoatFestival #Kashi #Varanasi #RethinkTourism #UPNahiDekhaTohIndiaNahiDekha pic.twitter.com/8vLGqGbnR6— UP Tourism (@uptourismgov) January 21, 2023
@Nishattimes
वाराणसी में 'काशी बैलून एंड बोट फेस्टिवल' का आयोजन किया गया था. इस दौरान लोग बड़ी संख्या में घाटों पर मौजूद रहे. फेस्टिवल में हॉट एयर बैलून की रौनक देखते ही बन रही थी. #Varanasi #Kashi #KashiBalloonFestival #KashiBalloonAndBoatFestival #HotAirBalloon #Trending pic.twitter.com/kpOf2jhEdf— Khizar Malik (@journalist_km) January 17, 2023
Ballon fastival #banaras #KashiBalloonFestival pic.twitter.com/Q8lqvasp88
— बाबा बनारसी (@BabaBenarasi) January 19, 2023
#काशी #varanasiballoonfestival
आसमान से देखें काशी की खूबसूरती…
#UPNahiDekhaTohIndiaNahiDekha #varanasi #kashiballoonfestival #ganga @ShishirGoUP @journalist_pkt @DrVNMishraa @Live_Gyan @faraz_vns @CMOfficeUP pic.twitter.com/Q7JQedILx7— Bhadaini Mirror (@Bhadaini_Mirror) January 17, 2023
यही काशी हैं गुरु!! (📸 ~@Maruti1947 )#काशी #varanasiballoonfestival #UPNahiDekhaTohIndiaNahiDekha #varanasi #kashiballoonfestival #ganga pic.twitter.com/8YHlciZUyl
— Gaurav Maruti Sharma Wear #Mask 😷😷 #StaySafe (@Maruti1947) January 18, 2023
Now you don’t have to spend thousands and visit a foreign land to enjoy the hot air balloon experience. Can’t get my eyes off these visuals, such a treat!