18 Hot air balloons take off from Hyderabad Golf Club on January 16; rides at Parade Grounds in the evening

Key Highlights

• This marks the beginning of the Telangana’s Hot Air Balloon Festival scheduled from January 16 to 18.
• Officials said that in the evening, 10 to 15 tethered balloons are expected to operate at the Parade Grounds in Secunderabad, accommodating approximately 130 to 133 visitors who have booked tickets online.
• “Unlike the free-flying balloons in the morning, these would be tethered and ascend to a limited height before descending back to the same spot,” a senior Tourism Department official added.
• The morning flights were part of the inaugural Hot Air Balloon Festival, which was launched at the Hyderabad Golf Club premises.
• Minister for Tourism and Culture Jupally Krishna Rao inaugurated the event and also took a ride.