By 1965, Balloon Mail had grown beyond symbolic flights. On November 14, 1965, the third annual flight was launched in Bangalore and featured India’s artistic pride.
🛕 Front Image: Belur Temple Stone Carvings
The postcard displays intricate Hoysala-era carvings from Belur Temple in Karnataka. These stone deities tell a visual story of India’s architectural brilliance and spiritual depth.
📮 Back of the Postcard – Cultural Messaging
This postcard celebrates the 3rd Balloon Flight in Bangalore for Children’s Aid. The launch took place in Machohalli, in the Bangalore District. The balloon landed in Bangalore on 14 November 1965. A colorful map of India is printed, with balloon artwork and a landing stamp. It carries a 0.15 INR stamp, marking the International Cooperation Year. Messages are written in English, Kannada, and Hindi.
✈️ Flight Context
| Aspect | Details |
| Purpose | Promote cultural identity through postal cooperation |
| Focus Theme | International cooperation and heritage preservation |
| Design Elements | Map of India, multicolor cancellation, balloon logo |
This postcard showed that Balloon Mail could also be a cultural ambassador, introducing India’s soul to the world—through the skies.
👉 Coming up next: The last flight, and a glimpse into grassroots India.
