T.N. hot air balloon festival takes off in Pollachi

The 10th edition of the Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival being conducted at Pollachi in Coimbatore on Wednesday
| Photo Credit: M. Periasamy

Hot air balloons from all over the world – including the US, Thailand, UK, Austria, France, Brazil, Vietnam, and Belgium – adorned the skies over Pollachi in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday (January 14, 2025), kicking off the 10th edition of the Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival (TNIBF) in the region. 

The festival will continue till January 16 at Kongu City in Achipatti near Pollachi, after which it will head to Madurai from January 18 to 19, at the Kalaignar Centenary Jallikattu Arena. The festival was inaugurated in Chennai on January 10.

The TNIBF is conducted by the State Tourism department in collaboration with Global Media Box. Over the past decade, the festival has been a key event in the State’s tourism calendar, as it is recognised as the only annual hot air balloon festival in the country. 

“Hot air balloon festivals are spectator events that are entirely dependent on nature. Calm winds and favorable weather are critical for safe operations. All decisions regarding the flight and tethering are made by certified pilots,” said Benedict Savio, Founder, TNIBF, and event director, Global Media Box.

“Hot air balloons are classified as aircraft and operate under strict civil aviation rules and regulations,” he added.

This is also the first time that the event is being hosted in Madurai. “In Madurai, we will have free flying at the Kalaignar Centenary Jallikattu Arena,” Mr. Savio said.

The TNIBF is a celebration of culture, adventure, and global tourism. Hot air balloon festivals attract large crowds worldwide, and this festival continues to boost domestic tourism, drawing visitors from across the country and beyond.