Kite festivals in India

The festivals host to a huge range of kites in different shapes and sizes

Kite flying is a popular festival in India and it takes place during Makar Sankranti in the month of January. The kite festival is celebrated in various states of India and displays amazing collections of simple and fancy kites in different shapes and sizes.

The tradition of kite flying has been followed over generations in the Indian society and the history of kite flying is described very exquisitely in the Kite Museum in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The festivals attract expert kite-makers and flyers not only from cities of India but also from all around the world.

According to Hindu astronomy, Makar Sankranti is the day when the Sun begins its movement away from the Tropic of Capricorn. Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti marks the gradual end of winters and the onset of summers. The festivals are one of the most auspicious days across the country for the farmers as it also suggests the beginning of the harvest season. Uttarayan is celebrated every year on January 14, in parts of north India, and Pongal in Tamil Nadu, and continues on to the January 15.

INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL IN GUJARAT

The International Kite Festival, organised by the Tourism Department of Gujarat, is held every year in Ahmedabad, the kite capital of the state. This year, the festival will take place at the Sabarmati riverfront, Ahmedabad, from January 8 to January 14. The festival exhibits kite-making traditions from various countries and draws artists from the around world. The serene blue sky covered with colourful kites look splendid and since morning till evening it remains dotted with the vivid splashes of colour with kites in a variety of hues, shapes and sizes.

There is also the traditional food festival of Gujarat which takes place during this kite festival, offering sweets like the Undhiyu (a delicacy of vegetables), Jalebi (sweets), Til Ladoo (sweets made of sesame seeds) and Chikki (sweet made from groundnuts and jaggery) for the visitors from different parts of the world.

There are many international visitors who come to take part in the festival from Japan, Italy, the US, the UK, Canada, Indonesia, Brazil, Australia, Malaysia, China, Singapore, France etc.

From gigantic sky-borne whales, Chinese flying dragons to local Gujarati delicacies and local handicrafts at the stalls, this festival highlights the varied cultures and traditions of Indian.

Also Read – Festivals of India: Unconventional, unusual and unique.

                        Five Indian festivals that celebrate nature.

TELANGANA INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL

Telangana International Kite Festival (TIKF) – KITE 2017 is a family fun festival through the rich regional tapestry of kites, culture and crafts of Hyderabad and the Deccan. The festival is scheduled to take place from January 12 to 17, 2017. KITE 2017 organised by the Telangana Tourism attracts thousands of kite enthusiasts, families and government school communities.

KITE 2017 aims to enhance the tourism profile of the rich heritage of Hyderabad as a ‘hidden jewel’ of India and it also focuses on empowering women through inclusive girl child education. PV Sindhu, the Olympic Silver Medal winner, is the official face of the festival.

The main highlights of the festival are that there will be 17 international kite-flying teams, 10 pan Indian clubs, night kite flying, Hyderabadi food fair, Telangana cultural program, regional arts and crafts mela (fair), fun and creative activities for children, and chance for everyone to fly a kite.

This year ‘Remote controlled kites’ will be introduced for the first time in India. According to Dr Geoffrey Fisher, Head of the Aga Khan Academy, the joy of remote control kite flying offers altogether a new experience. These kites will fly at a special night flying curtain raiser event at People’s Plaza in Hyderabad. KITE 2017 promises to be an exciting experience for everyone.

Also Read – Five lesser known festivals to attend in October.

Kites are a part of the culture in Asia, which is why most of the kite festivals around the world take place in those areas. Some of the most popular kite festivals of the world are Japan Kite Festival in Uchinada, Ishikawa, China Kite Festival called Weifang International Kite Festival, Jakarta Kite Festival in Pangandaran, Washington D.C. International Kite Festival known as The Blossom Kite Festival, Indonesia Kite Festival in Bali island, Bali Kite Festival, UK Kite Festival in Bristol city, Bristol International Kite Festival.