International Kite Festival is one of the major festivals of Gujarat. Although the Kite Festival is celebrated all over Gujarat, The International Kite festival held in the capital city of Ahmedabad is very popular.The visually impressive Kite Festival draws a large number of domestic and foreign kite enthusiasts. The kite festival is celebrated every year on the 14th of January and it falls on the same day as the festive occasion of Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti. The Gujarat State Tourism Corporation organizes International Kite Festival every year and the venue of the event is either the Sardar Patel Stadium or the Police Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Makar Sankranti marks the end of winter and onset of autumn with the return of the sun to the Northern Hemisphere. On this day the sun enters the zodiac of Makara (Capricorn). The days become longer and the skies clearer. Hence, it is called Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti. It is believed that the gods who are believed to have slumbered for six long months are now awake on the uttaryan day and the portals of heaven are thrown open.
How International Kite Festival is Celebrated?
The kite festival is the grandest of all festivals in the state and preparation for this grand event begins months in advance. The markets exhibit variety of kites in all shapes and sizes, designs and tones. Many families make their own kites and sell in small shops. The Patang Bazaar (kite market), situated in the heart of Ahmedabad city is open 24 hours a day during the Uttarayan week.
On this day the normal daily routines of the people take a back seat and everyone is seen on the rooftops and out on roads enjoying the festival and engage in kite flying. The kite flying festival cuts across different communities and all the people irrespective of their age, cast and creed are seen enjoying the festival.
The festival starts from the dawn and goes on till dusk. Kites in a variety of hues, shapes and sizes seen in the clear blue sky. The main competition is to cut the strings of nearby kite flyers and bring it down. Kite flyers thread glass shards onto the strings of their kites so they can cut their neighbours kite strings.
On this special delicacies like laddoos, surati jamun or undhyu are served and people visit relatives and friends and exchange greetings. As the sun sets illuminated box kites i.e. paper lanterns tied to their kite-strings known as tukkal are launched into the sky which adds a magical charm to the landscape.
The International Kite Festival hosted by Gujarat Tourism lures expert kite makers and kite flyers not only from India but also many foreign countries like Japan, Australia, Malaysia, USA, Brazil, Canada and European Countries who come here to display their skill.
History of International Kite Festival
International Kite Festival is being held in Ahmedabad since 1989. The Patang Nagar was created in Ahmedabad so that craftsmen can demonstrate their skills in both kite-making and flying during this festival. Although the festival of Uttarayan is a Hindu Festival, the tradition of kite flying is thought to have existed during the times of the Nawabs.