Tamil Nadu Worldwide Balloon Competition begins in Pollachi

Vibrant balloons paint the Pollachi sky | Photograph Credit score: PERIASAMY M

“The primary rule of ballooning,” pilot Koen Audenaert from Belgium says, “is to neglect all of your troubles and benefit from the views.” As he speaks, the wicker basket through which we stand, that’s connected to a 100-foot-tall hot-air balloon, begins to rise, powered by a blast of flame from its propane burner. Earlier than lengthy, we’re skimming over inexperienced treetops in Pollachi, situated 45 kilometres from Coimbatore. One thousand ft up, simply after daybreak, we now have a 360-degree view of the misty Pollachi panorama laid out with rows and rows of coconut groves shimmering within the morning gentle. Startled by the balloon, a canine offers out a loud cry, quickly interrupted by the distant name of a peacock. “Ballooning is the nicest technique to see the world. It’s the wind that decides what you get to see. It’s by no means organised. You can not steer and management the course and therein lies the journey. You simply drift. It’s a pure approach of shifting, what nature tells you to do, unpredictable however not harmful.”

Farmers within the villages beneath appear awestruck by an enormous hot-air balloon above their farms, and wave on the passengers and the pilot. After a 45-minute trip, the balloon lands with a thud. As many as 12 balloons, from Brazil, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, France, Thailand, Vietnam and the UK are parked at Proper Kongu Metropolis, Achipatti on Pollachi Predominant Highway because the eighth version of the three-day Tamil Nadu Worldwide Balloon Competition (TNIBF) takes off from January 13.

As many as 12 balloons are parked on the Worldwide Balloon Competition in Pollachi | Photograph Credit score: PERIASAMY M

“This occasion is a household carnival. Guests may also see the Tamil Nadu Tourism balloon,” says Sandeep Nanduri, managing director of Tamil Nadu Tourism Growth Company (TTDC) including that it’s being promoted on an enormous scale to draw vacationers. “In international locations like Mexico and the US, virtually 150 to 200 balloons fly on the similar time. When an occasion of such scale occurs, the financial system advantages from the multiplier impact with an elevated influx of vacationers. We’re showcasing the balloons as an leisure possibility coupled with occasions like music pageant, and children carnival because it’s an extended vacation weekend for Pongal.”

The target is to place Pollachi on the tourism map. “If you wish to fly a sizzling air balloon, come to Pollachi,” says Benedict Savio, founder, TNIBF and director, International Media Field including that 12 pilots from 10 international locations are visiting Pollachi to fly these balloons.

Balloons over the treetops in Pollachi | Photograph Credit score: PERIASAMY M

A hot-air balloon is just like an plane, and is made by corporations that manufacture plane with the permission of the civil aviation authority. “Airport and ATC clearances are obligatory. The ocation needs to be 40 kilometres away from the airport. Balloons journey sport can take off solely after getting all of the legalities and certificates. Just like an plane, there’s a tail quantity to each balloon, and the pilots are principally plane pilots,” provides Benedict.

Whereas these vibrant journey balloons that fly at varied festivals internationally can accommodate a most of two passengers on board, the passenger safari rides can take as much as eight passengers. “We’re planning to have common ballooning exercise,” says Benedict who has been within the area for 15 years and gives consulting for balloon pageant tourism in Thailand and Taiwan. “On the pageant, anybody can come and watch the balloons. It’s a spectator occasion for the general public. We’re planning a tethered expertise within the night.”

Worldwide pilots function the balloons on the pageant | Photograph Credit score: PERIASAMY M

By the fest, additionally they plan to teach the general public on how sizzling air balloon works as an leisure possibility with limitations. “The balloon pageant in Pollachi is a practice and we’re taking it to an even bigger scale,” provides Sandeep Nanduri.

“Flying is feasible right here due to the open areas and a picturesque location. In 2021, Tamil Nadu topped when it comes to vacationer inflows, each home and worldwide. Vacationers are discerning and we now have to continuously present new experiences. Coimbatore is a vital metropolis after Chennai, and its proximity to vacationer locations like Pollachi and Udhagamandalam is a bonus. We’re including coastal tourism, journey tourism, and plantation tourism.”

Throwing extra gentle on sizzling air balloons, Koen, who has flown many occasions throughout Africa, European international locations, the Philippines, and Thailand, says it isn’t harmful so long as one flies in the correct climate situations and is backed by an expert on-ground crew. “If you’re affected person, you’ll at all times discover a place to land. As we speak, my first flight right here in Pollachi is unforgettable.”

The pageant is on until January 15. Comply with @tnibf on Instagram for extra particulars