Ranchi: Devotees visiting Shravani Mela 2026 can now complete part of their pilgrimage by air. In a major initiative to improve pilgrim convenience, the Jharkhand Government has launched a special helicopter service connecting Deoghar and Basukinath, offering faster travel and aerial darshan of some of the state’s most revered religious sites.
The service, launched on August 4, has been introduced by the Cabinet Secretariat and Vigilance Department (Civil Aviation) under the Chief Minister’s leadership. It is expected to ease congestion during the annual pilgrimage while making travel more comfortable, particularly for elderly and differently-abled devotees.
A New Travel Option for Pilgrims
Every year, lakhs of devotees visit Baba Baidyanath Dham and Basukinath Temple during the holy month of Shravan. With long queues and heavy road traffic often extending travel time, the helicopter service offers a quicker alternative.
The service is being operated by the Jharkhand Flying Institute (JFI) and has been designed to remain affordable so that a larger number of pilgrims can benefit from it.
Besides reducing travel time, passengers will also enjoy panoramic aerial views of Deoghar, Basukinath, Trikut Hills, and surrounding landscapes.
Relief for Elderly and Long-Distance Devotees
Officials said the initiative is expected to provide significant relief to senior citizens, differently-abled pilgrims and visitors travelling from distant states. By cutting travel time between major pilgrimage centres, the service makes the spiritual journey more accessible and comfortable.
The district administration has directed authorities to ensure strict adherence to aviation safety norms, including passenger safety, helipad operations and flight management.
Helicopter Fare Details
Pilgrims can choose from multiple travel options:
- Deoghar Aerial Tour (7–10 minutes): ₹2,850 per person
- Basukinath Aerial Tour (7–10 minutes): ₹2,850 per person
- Deoghar–Trikut Aerial Tour (10–15 minutes): ₹3,750 per person
- One-way Flight from Deoghar to Basukinath (15 minutes): ₹4,500 per person
How to Book
Pilgrims can book tickets through the official Jharkhand Aviation website or purchase them at the ticket counter at Hathgarh Maidan in Deoghar. Assistance is also available through the helpline number 9122583111.
The administration has advised devotees to use only authorised booking channels and follow all safety guidelines while availing of the helicopter service.
A Step Towards Better Pilgrim Infrastructure
The launch of the helicopter service reflects Jharkhand’s efforts to modernise facilities for religious tourism while preserving the spiritual experience of the annual Shravani Mela. By combining faster connectivity with improved visitor services, the initiative is expected to strengthen pilgrimage infrastructure and enhance the overall travel experience for thousands of devotees.
