During Mahamastakabhisheka, devotees and tourists visiting Shravanabelagola get a chance to witness the impressive anointment ceremony from the sky. The Mahamastakabhisheka Mahotsava Committee has recently initiated heli-tourism in partnership with Chipsan Aviation Pvt. Ltd.
A. Manju, Minister for Sericulture, Animal Husbandry and in-charge of Hassan district on Wednesday launched the heli-tourism at the Shravanabelagola helipad. The Minister toured on the helicopter next to legislators C.N. Balakrishna and M.A. Gopalaswamy. Helicopter rides are being provided the company, lasting for 8-10 minutes for ₹2,100 per person above three years age.
To quote Bahubali, an executive of Chipsan Aviation, as informed the Hindu, “We have permission from the district administration to offer helicopter services up to March 4. If we get good response from the public, we will seek extension of the permit and continue the services.”
The company has introduced a six-seat chopper that will take the visitors in and around Vindhyagiri and provide them to have an aerial view and witness the anointing ceremony from the sky above. Nevertheless, the Archaeological Survey of India has requested the crew members of the chopper not to go close to the monument. The visitors aboard will get an opportunity of an aerial tour of the townships that have come up around Shravanabelagola to house hundreds of devotees.
This initiative of heli-tourism was scheduled to start on February 7, the day the mega event was inaugurated. Nonetheless, the district administration postponed it till after the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister had visited. Private helicopters are not allowed in the vicinity during VIP visits for security issues.
Tags: Shravanabelagola Tourism
