Gujarat remains vibrant throughout the year by hosting numerous festivals. One of the popular festivals, among others, is the International Kite Festival. The International Kite Festival is celebrated on the eve of Makar Sankranti. This festival commemorates the transition from winter to summer, and also the forthcoming winter crop harvest. Kites are traditionally flown to represent God’s spiritual awakening from its winter slumber.
A kite festival is a fantastic event where beautiful blue skies shine brightly with colorful kites flying around and people’s laughter rings in the wind. You will be dazzled to find thousands of vibrantly colored kites supported on a sturdy frame looming high up in the sky. International kite flyers and local champions compete with fervor and enthusiasm. People of all ages gather to witness our Indian paper kites competing with those from Japan, Indonesia, the USA, the UK, and other countries.
Where Does the Kite Festival Take Place?
Other than Gujarat, the state of Telangana as well as Rajasthan is also known for celebrating this festival. Cities like Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Hyderabad, Nadiad, and Dakor are among those that participate in the festivities. Kite flying is an international event that will take place in Ahmedabad, which is often referred to as the Kite Capital of Gujarat. The festival this year will run from January 8 to 14, and a large number of visitors from all over the world will be arriving in Ahmedabad to participate. Kite flying begins at 5 a.m. and continues until late into the night.The International Kite Festival is celebrated in January every year and is the main attraction of Gujarat tourism. The first international kite festival was celebrated in 1989 in Ahmedabad. Various cities in Gujarat hold kite flying competitions, the showstopper contest is held in Ahmedabad, the kite capital of Gujarat. The Sabarmati riverfront, with a capacity to accommodate over 5 lakh visitors, is the best place to witness and enjoy the event. If you are tempted by a passion for touring, check out Rann Utsav Tour Packages.
How Do the Locals Celebrate it?
Uttarayan is among the most well-known festivals in Gujarat and therefore holds significant significance, to the point that every household begins preparing for the event in the weeks prior to the festival. The entire celebration lasts one week and concludes on the morning of Uttarayan, also known as Makar Sakranti, a North Indian festival.Gujarat serves special foods on the eve of Makar Sankranti like chikki, ladoo, and rewadi, which are made from sesame seeds. The famous dish Undhiyu (a mixed vegetable including yam and beans) is served best with jalebi.The Patang Bazaar, a famous marketplace in the heart of Ahmedabad, is open throughout the day for a week. The place exhibits the craftsmanship of kite makers, who create strong and resilient kites. People crowd the street to grab their kites from their favorite kitemakers. Next is selecting Manja, a sharp thread used in kite-flying competitions for cutting the opponent’s kite strings. Manja is made of sharp material or coated with finely crushed glass, metal, or other substances. Even after the competition is over, the spirits fail to die. Lanterns are attached to strings and kites continue to fly. This adds to a spectacular night view.It doesn’t matter what country you are from or what cultural convictions you hold; it is possible to enjoy the kite festival across India in all its splendor and find out the details about Uttarayan. So, if you are planning to be traveling to Gujarat during January, make certain to book Gujarat tour packages that include the world-renowned kite festival in order to experience on your own some of the most stunning places in India.