Stunning photographs from Taj Mahal's first-ever balloon festival

Area around the Taj Mahal is normally a no-fly zone but special permission has been obtained for the festival

Indian city Agra hosted its first ever international balloon festival with hot air balloons soaring into the sky.

The 'Taj Balloon Festival' kicked off with a bang on Saturday morning and will continue till Monday.

It's not that you don't love me bt you'll adore me once you glide by me. Here's your first ever. #TajBalloonFestival https://t.co/xKa7WBIV40

— Taj Mahal (@TajMahal) November 14, 2015

There's no room for the stars tonight. Hot air balloons raiding your skies #Agra at #TajBalloonFestival pic.twitter.com/k2j7zgsHLj

— Taj Mahal (@TajMahal) November 15, 2015

The festival gives visitors a unique chance to get a bird's-eye view of the marvelous Taj Mahal as well as numerous other historical sites.

PHOTO: RAJU TOMAR

PHOTO: RAJU TOMAR

The area around the Taj Mahal is normally a no-fly zone for security reasons; however, special permission has been obtained to let the balloons fly at a 500 metre distance from the festival.

The event has drawn participation from 12 countries, including balloonists from the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, United Arab Emirates and India among others.

The festival includes both free and tethered flights. UP tourism has collaborated with a Delhi-based company Sky Waltz to organise the festival.

Although views of the Taj Mahal have been hidden by seasonal fog, it hasn't discouraged participants.

Photos of the event have also been shared on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

The #Agra skyline is all topped up with a carnivalesque vibe, bursting with colour & life. #TajBalloonFestival pic.twitter.com/TZPmLgejnn

— Taj Mahal (@TajMahal) November 16, 2015

Composing poetry within a sun-baked sky. It's day 3 at #TajBalloonFestival #Agra Exquisite and superlative! pic.twitter.com/gsvojuDkvl

— Taj Mahal (@TajMahal) November 16, 2015

The serenity of this night has a tinkling ring to it. Seek the sonority, here at #TajBalloonFestival at #Agra pic.twitter.com/KgdzAv9BTy

— Taj Mahal (@TajMahal) November 15, 2015

This article originally appeared on Mashable.