Paragliding

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Paragliding scene in India started 7 years ago, though it is now just about gaining popularity. India has immense flying possibilities with Himalayas in the North and the Sahayadri ranges in the west coast. There have been international competitions where distance world records were set. These sites have conditions for both ridge, thermal soaring and ideal cross country routes, almost all the year round except the monsoons.

History of Paragliding
This sport was introduced into India in (1991-92) when some foreign visiting pilots decided to explore flying possibilities in the Kullu Valley. The sport with its self advertising nature soon charmed the Valley ‘adventurists’ who until then were involved in skiing, trekking and rock climbing. Billing in the Kangra Valley had already been identified as a flying site for hang gliding. The Kangra and Kullu Valleys witnessed the spreading and development Paragliding. Over the past few years a small number of set ups have been seen operating in this area. Across the country there wouldnow be 10 to 12 such small set ups and 150 to 200 known active pilots in the country.

Paragliding in different zones of India
North India
In the north of India ‘the Himalayas’ the biggest mountain range in the world offers challenging conditions. At the northern most tip of India the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh and Zanskar rugged barren landmasses are interspersed with deep vertical valleys where the winds are unpredictable and sandstorms blow up within minutes. Here heavy - duty survival gear is required and only the most gung ho of pilots dare to fly. In the lower reaches of the Himalayas within the states of Himachal and Uttar Pradesh a number of sites are perfect for ridge soaring for miles on end and immense cross country routes. The season here is between April to June and September to November at the onset and tail end of the southeast monsoons when winds are constant and hopefully not too wet.

West Zone
The paragliding stronghold of the Western Ghats, Kamshet offers a variety of flying sites where flying is guaranteed almost every day of the long season extending from October to June. This is an ideal base for pilots wanting to exploring the broader reaches of the Western Ghats

The flying in Maharashtra is almost entirely on the Western Ghat hill range, which run in an almost unbroken line from Gujarat in the north, to the Nilgiri Hills on the southern tip of India. Flying tends to be centred on the affluent region around Mumbai and Pune, but there is plenty of potential elsewhere in the state for pilots who are prepared to explore. Popular flying areas, include the hill stations and fort sights of Maharashtra: Matheran, Deolali, Mahabaleshwar, Singhgad and Panchgani

Paragliding Places in India:
Billing, HP
Kullu, HP
Solang, HP
Lahaul & Spiti, HP
Naukutchiyatal, Nainital
Dayara Bugyal, Garhwal
Dhanolti Ridge, Garhwal
Bedni Bugyal, Kumaon
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Bikaner, Rajasthan
Matheran, Maharashtra

Tips While Paragliding
Paragliding is the most simple form to fly and all you require is a para glider. A paraglider is a non-motorized, foot-launched inflatable wing, which is easy to transport, launch, and land. It is constructed of rip-stop nylon or high stress polyester fabric. The pilot is clipped into a harness and is in a comfortable sitting position. The harness and the Paraglider attached by sturdy kevlar lines. The Para gliders can fly in the air for hours with the help of the glider and climb to altitudes, more than 10,000 feet high or opt for cross-country flying adventure covering vast distances.

Of course you need to be physically fit, but do not try to make too many stunts in this sports as its an out door activity and Mother Nature is full of surprises. But if you are mentally alert and strong, you can by pass any hurdle of para gliding. You need to know how to fly a glider. If you are new to this sport, better learn the basics first. The basic techniques of para gliding include – launching, turning and landing.