The curtains have drawn on the first-ever Tehri Acro Festival, a momentous event that brought the skies of Tehri Lake alive with electrifying paragliding acrobatics and fierce competitions. This historic festival, hosted by Uttarakhand Tourism, concluded on November 28, leaving behind a legacy of international camaraderie and stunning aerial displays.
With 178 paragliders soaring from 27 countries, including 40 male and 14 female international participants alongside 124 Indian enthusiasts, the festival was a melting pot of diverse talent and skill. Over the course of five days, the festival showcased a medley of paragliding events, from solo flights to synchronised acrobatic displays, painting the skies above Tehri with breathtaking performances.
The competition culminated in a spectacular display of prowess, with winners crowned in various categories:
Tehri Acro Cup Winners:
Winner: Vijay Thakur D
1st Runner-up: Manoj Kumar N
2nd Runner-up: Gaurav D
Tehri SIV Cup Winners:
Men’s Category: Gautam (Winner), Bharath Konjenti N (1st Runner-up), Nikhil Thakur S (2nd Runner-up)
Women’s Category: Prea Jain (Winner)
Colonel Ashvini Pundir, Additional CEO (Adventure), expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response from participants and highlighted Uttarakhand's emergence as a frontier in Adventure Tourism. He emphasised the state's commitment to further developing Tehri as an Adventure Sports hub, offering activities like paragliding and kayaking.
The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) played a pivotal role in orchestrating this unprecedented festival, strategically positioning Tehri as the Paragliding Capital of the World. With its unparalleled topography, featuring the majestic Tehri Lake, and take-off points standing at an impressive 1400 meters, Tehri proved to be an ideal canvas for showcasing aerial acrobatics.
The festival attracted participants from 25 countries, setting the stage for a global paragliding extravaganza. UTDB's collaboration with Paragliding Mantra enabled free training programs for local youth, aiming to train over 100 skilled paragliders by the end of 2023. This initiative fosters adventure sports and creates employment opportunities, empowering local youth with valuable skills.
Tourism Secretary Sachin Kurve expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting its potential to promote adventure sports and serve as a platform to exhibit Uttarakhand's natural beauty to the world. The festival celebrated paragliding excellence and solidified Tehri's position on the international paragliding map.
Tehri Garhwal District in Uttarakhand is a treasure trove for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Blessed with the majestic Himalayas, lush greenery, and serene lakes, it beckons travellers seeking tranquillity and adventure. The district boasts Tehri Dam, Asia's highest dam, offering breathtaking vistas of the Tehri Lake against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Adventurers can revel in trekking trails like Nag Tibba, Khatling Glacier, and Chandrashila, while spiritual seekers can find solace in ancient temples like Tehri Dam Temple and Chandrabadani Temple.
