The International Kite Festival in Gujarat is one of the most vigorous and multi-colored festivals celebrated yearly in January, since 1989. Popularly known as Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti, this festival of kites marks the departure of winters. According to the Hindu calendar, this is an indicator for the farmers, across the nation, of the beginning of the harvest season. The new season is deemed as the harbinger of new fruits and produce.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated every year on the 14 January.This is the day when the excellent blue skies in Gujarat brim with magnificent kites, and the roars and chortles of people ring in the breeze.
Although the festival is celebrated across the country, the kite flying celebration in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, occupies a special acknowledgment universally. Every year, hundreds of kite flying experts, belonging to 35 to 40 nations, partake in this celebration, including Russia, the Philippines, New Zealand, Poland, Japan, Italy, Brazil, Australia, the USA, Malaysia, France, China, and Vietnam.
In the past years, the celebrations have hosted ace kite creators who displayed unique designs. Rokkaku Fighting kites from Japan, sculptural designs from Italy, and Flying Dragon kites from China are some of the sorts that stood out at the occasion. Moreover, the popular kite ace, Rasulbhai Rahimbhai of Ahmedabad, sets up a splendid show as he oversees 500 kites on a single string.
Creation of kites and kite supplies can be seen in the city of Ahmedabad starting November. The Patang Bazaar, the extraordinary kite market that shows up in the old city, caters especially to the preparation for Uttarayan . The week before the fete, it is open all 24 hours, for the kite enthusiasts to prepare for the festivities.
On what is generally a beautiful warm sunny day with lively breeze to lift the kites high up, across the territory of Gujarat, practically all ordinary action is closed down, and everybody takes to the housetops and streets to fly kites, and rival their neighbors. The atmosphere is magnificently happy as families accumulate on the housetop. Exceptional nourishments like Laddu, Undhiyu, or Surti Jamun are kept ready to devour throughout the day, and companions and neighbors visit each other for group kite-flying game.
People often plan and seek ideal porch for kite flying, once identified, they assemble there. Around evening time, kite contenders send up bright white kites or kandeels in the murkiness, and the talented flyers send up high their tukkals with strings of splendidly lit lights, a long line wriggling down to the rooftop. This day is loaded with bliss and bonhomie, comrades often reminiscing and comparing the kite flying experiences of previous years.
Although the Kite Festival 2021 has been cancelled for the first time in its history, due to Covid-19, the next year’s celebrations are most awaited, and are anticipated to be grander than ever. This festival requires a visit… at least once.
Aashi is a working PR professional who enjoys a good amount of her free time reading, cooking, and taking care of her 2 dogs.