Joyous Hasanamba Festival: Helitourism Facility Launched in Hassan,1 KSRTC to Offer Tour Packages

In a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at enhancing the spiritual and tourism experience during the Hasanamba festival, Hassan district administration has launched a helitourism facility to give devotees an aerial view of the temple and its surroundings. The helitourism program, inaugurated on Friday, will operate throughout the festival period, offering short flights that showcase the scenic beauty of Hassan along with the temple complex. The initiative is expected to attract not only devotees but also domestic tourists and photography enthusiasts, promoting Hassan as a hub of cultural and religious tourism.

The launch of helitourism at Hasanamba Temple has introduced a novel way for devotees to experience the festival. For many, the aerial perspective provides a unique appreciation of the temple’s historical architecture, the surrounding town, and the lush landscapes of Hassan district. Helicopters make multiple short trips daily, allowing hundreds of devotees to participate while adhering to safety protocols. The initiative has been especially popular among young devotees and tourists, who are drawn to both the spiritual significance and the scenic beauty offered by the flight experience.

KSRTC’s involvement in organizing festival packages has been a strategic move to streamline pilgrimage travel. Packages combine bus transport, helitourism rides, temple darshana, and visits to nearby attractions. With trained guides providing insights into local history, traditions, and the mythological significance of Hasanamba, tourists are offered a richer understanding of the festival beyond ritualistic participation. This integrated approach also ensures that transport, accommodation, and on-ground logistics are efficiently managed, preventing overcrowding and travel-related challenges.

Local authorities have reported high registration numbers for helitourism tickets, with most slots booked well in advance. Officials have instituted staggered timings to avoid congestion and ensure smooth operations. To manage peak crowd periods, volunteers and district personnel monitor boarding zones and waiting areas. Signage and audio announcements in multiple languages guide visitors through the helipad, ensuring compliance with safety instructions while maintaining a respectful atmosphere around the temple complex.

The festival has also created significant employment opportunities in Hassan, with local youth trained as guides, security personnel, and support staff for both the helitourism initiative and KSRTC packages. Vendors selling food, souvenirs, flowers, and religious paraphernalia are positioned strategically to serve pilgrims efficiently. This economic activity benefits the local community while maintaining order around the temple precincts. Authorities emphasize the importance of adhering to environmental guidelines, including the use of biodegradable packaging and proper waste disposal.

The aerial tours have allowed pilgrims to view not only the temple but also surrounding landscapes, including coconut groves, paddy fields, and the Western Ghats in the distance. For many devotees, the experience enhances spiritual engagement by connecting them to the natural beauty of the region. Pilgrims have expressed that viewing the temple from above reinforces their devotion and provides a sense of calm and perspective amid the festival’s crowds and rituals.

Safety remains the administration’s top priority, with medical personnel stationed near the helipad and throughout the temple vicinity. Emergency response plans include ambulance deployment, crowd evacuation strategies, and first-aid stations at multiple points. Helicopter operators conduct daily safety inspections and pre-flight checks, and passengers receive instructions on proper boarding procedures, seating, and safety harness usage. Authorities are confident that these measures ensure a secure experience for all visitors.

Hasanamba Festival

The festival’s planning has incorporated feedback from previous years, ensuring improvements in crowd control, sanitation, and traffic management. Online ticketing and helitourism reservations reduce physical queues, and digital displays provide real-time information on flight availability, darshana timings, and traffic alerts. Volunteers are equipped with communication devices to relay information and assist in directing visitors, ensuring smooth movement and reducing the likelihood of congestion at high-traffic zones.

KSRTC buses used for the festival tour packages are equipped with modern facilities, including air conditioning, GPS tracking, and on-board attendants. Routes have been optimized to reduce travel time and maximize convenience for pilgrims traveling from Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Mangaluru. Rest stops along the route provide food, water, and restroom facilities, and schedules are adjusted to accommodate the timings of temple rituals and helitourism flights.

Local cultural programs have been integrated into the festival itinerary, allowing visitors to experience Karnataka’s folk traditions. Performances of Dollu Kunitha, Veeragase, and traditional music sessions take place at designated venues near the temple. These programs are included in the KSRTC tour packages and provide visitors with insights into the region’s cultural heritage. Officials highlight that this combination of devotion, culture, and tourism creates a holistic festival experience.

The helitourism initiative has drawn attention from national media, positioning Hasanamba Temple as a model for integrating faith tourism with modern technology. Coverage of the aerial tours has showcased Hassan’s natural beauty, heritage architecture, and spiritual traditions, attracting interest from tourists and devotees across India. Tourism experts have noted that the combination of religious significance and scenic experience can boost regional tourism and enhance Karnataka’s reputation as a destination for cultural festivals.

Authorities have coordinated with local hotels, homestays, and restaurants to manage the influx of visitors. Special rates and pre-booking facilities have been provided to festival attendees, ensuring that accommodation shortages do not affect pilgrims. Many establishments have expanded their kitchens and staffing temporarily to meet the increased demand for food and services. This planning helps maintain high levels of convenience and comfort for devotees visiting Hassan during the festival period.

The festival has demonstrated the successful collaboration between multiple government departments, KSRTC, private helicopter operators, and community volunteers. Coordination meetings and rehearsals ensured that operational and safety challenges were addressed in advance. Continuous monitoring using drones, CCTV cameras, and on-ground personnel has helped manage crowds effectively while maintaining the sanctity of religious rituals.

Pilgrims have praised the combination of helitourism and organized tours for reducing travel stress while enriching the festival experience.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has partnered with the district administration to provide comprehensive tour packages for the festival. These packages include helitourism rides, guided darshana at Hasanamba Temple, and sightseeing of nearby attractions such as Shravanabelagola, Halebidu, and Belur. Special buses have been deployed from major cities like Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Mangaluru to ferry devotees conveniently. The packages also include accommodation arrangements, ensuring that pilgrims have a seamless and well-organized travel experience during the festival’s peak days.

Helitourism: A new perspective for devotees

The helitourism facility allows devotees to experience Hasanamba Temple from an aerial perspective, offering panoramic views of the lush Western Ghats and the town of Hassan. Each flight is supervised by trained pilots and includes safety briefings for passengers. Tickets are available both online and on-site, with priority given to senior citizens and differently-abled individuals. The initiative is being lauded for combining faith with modern tourism infrastructure, enabling devotees to witness the temple’s architectural beauty and surrounding landscape from a unique vantage point.

The district administration has ensured strict compliance with safety norms, including pre-flight medical checks and limited passenger capacity per helicopter. The helitourism program is expected to operate from morning till late afternoon daily, allowing devotees to plan their darshana and aerial tour conveniently. Officials have also implemented an online booking system to avoid long queues and maintain social distancing amid large crowds. Emergency protocols and coordination with local police, fire services, and hospitals have been put in place to ensure a smooth operation of the facility.

KSRTC tour packages: Convenience and accessibility

KSRTC has designed festival tour packages that combine road, air, and guided temple visits to cater to the high influx of pilgrims during Hasanamba festival. Buses will operate from early morning to late evening, with routes covering the temple, helitourism base, and nearby tourist destinations. Trained guides will provide information on the history of Hasanamba Temple, ritual significance, and local folklore. Travelers can book packages online or through KSRTC counters in major cities, ensuring ease of access for devotees from distant locations.

The tour packages also emphasize comfort and safety for senior citizens and families with children. Designated resting zones, drinking water points, and first aid facilities have been arranged along the routes. KSRTC has coordinated with local hotels and guesthouses for accommodation options, offering special discounts for pilgrims. These measures aim to enhance the overall festival experience while managing the large crowds effectively.

The helitourism and KSRTC packages are part of a broader effort to integrate faith-based tourism with modern infrastructure and eco-friendly practices. The district administration has ensured that helicopter operations adhere to environmental guidelines and noise restrictions to minimize disruption to local wildlife. Officials have also restricted parking and landing zones to specific areas, maintaining order and preventing congestion near the temple and surrounding neighborhoods.

Local residents and business communities have welcomed the initiative, noting that it provides an additional source of income and encourages tourism in Hassan. Vendors, artisans, and service providers are expected to benefit from increased footfall and the enhanced visibility of the temple as a cultural landmark. Authorities believe that integrating helitourism and organized tour packages will help manage crowds more efficiently while showcasing the region’s natural and spiritual attractions to a wider audience.

The helitourism facility is seen as a pilot project, and officials are evaluating the feasibility of continuing it beyond the festival period for tourists interested in exploring Hassan’s heritage and natural beauty. If successful, the initiative could pave the way for similar aerial tourism programs in other temple towns across Karnataka. The government is also considering additional measures, such as guided walking tours and cultural exhibitions, to complement the aerial experience and provide a holistic visit for devotees and tourists alike.