The success of the helicopter rides during the Dasara celebrations in Mysuru has encouraged the Hassan district administration to experiment with them during the Mahamastakabhisheka of Gomateshwara at Shravanabelagola, scheduled for February next. This will allow tourists and residents to get a bird’s-eye view of the area.
Keeping Shravanabelagola as the centre, the district administration is planning to conduct rides at affordable rates. A. Manju, Minister in charge of the district, has spoken to Pavan Hans Ltd., a Union government enterprise, which conducts helicopter rides in Mysuru. In Mysuru, the rides were offered to the public at ₹ 2,300 for an adult for 10 minutes.
“We are thinking of introducing packages at different rates. This will be finalised only after holding a meeting with executives of Pavan Hans Ltd. The meeting is expected to be held soon,” said Varaprasad Reddy, the special officer for Mahamastakabhisheka. The company offered helicopter rides in Mysuru between September 15 and October 2.
The packages are likely to include places in Shravanabelagola and surrounding areas, reaching distant regions such as Belur, Halebid, the Hemavati reservoir at Gorur, Shettihalli church, Manjarabad Fort, and the Western Ghats in Sakleshpur. A short-duration package covering Shravanabelagola and another covering more places are expected to be finalised soon. “The charges will be low. Our aim is to allow the common man the experience of flying,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Manju told reporters that a permanent helipad could be developed in Shravanabelagola. Jain Mutt, which is organising the mega event, would cooperate with the land required for the helipad, he added.
