As part of Dasara festivities, the District Administration launched Maharaja and Yuvaraja aerial joy rides at Mandakalli airport yesterday.

Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports Abhayachandra Jain, who spoke after inaugurating the joy rides, said that the rides will be extended after Dasara if the response was good.

SP Abhinav Khare in his address, said that this year the time slot for the rides has been increased. The planes will operate between 9 am and 5 pm, he said and added that the joy rides will go on until Oct. 14.

Tickets can be booked on official Dasara website or bookmyshow.com

A counter has been set up at the Deputy Commissioner's office and at the Mandakalli airport.

The Department of Youth Services and Sports Director Vikash Kumar, Government Flight Training School, Jakkur, Bangalore, Director Naveen Raj Singh, Pilot Amarjeet Singh Dange, Co-pilot Madhuvina Mukherjee, Tahsildar Naveen Joseph and others were present.

Gangamma, an 83-year-old woman from Davanagere, was the first and lone passenger to fly in the Cessna 152 flight for the entire day.

Speaking to Star of Mysore after the joyride, Gangamma described the ride as a breath-taking experience. She has come all the way from Davanagere just to realise her dream of flying.

"I am extremely delighted to catch a bird's eye-view of Amba Vilas Palace, Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel, Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hill and the entire Mysore city. Even though I was not able to see the popular landmarks clearly, the pilot helped me identify them," she said.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore