International Kite Festival, Gujarat

Gujarat hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year, and one of the most popular is the International Kite Festival. During this festival, kites are made in various styles from different regions of Gujarat. The festival takes place on the last day of winter and the first day of summer according to the Hindu calendar in Ahmedabad, and people from all over India come to enjoy the colorful kites. In addition to kite-flying, visitors can also enjoy traditional Indian food, such as Undhiya, which is a mixture of yam and beans. The festival is also known as Uttarayan and is open to people from around the world.

The best place to enjoy the festival is at Sardar Patel Stadium and the Ahmedabad Police stadium, where visitors can witness the colorful kites soaring through the sky. During the festival, markets in the area are filled with kites of all shapes and sizes, and customers are eager to purchase them at any cost. In addition, there is a kite museum that showcases various types of kites.

The history of the kite festival dates back to ancient times, where it was believed to wake up the gods from their slumber. However, throughout Indian history, it has become associated with kings and their power. Nowadays, the festival attracts international participants who bring their own colorful kites from their home countries, such as Malaysia’s wau-balang kites, Indonesia’s 11ayang-11ayaghave, and Japan’s Rokkaku fighting kites. Visitors may even spot well-known figures such as singers, dancers, and politicians in attendance.

Kites used in the festival are typically made from various materials such as leaves, plastic, metal, wood, nylon, or other materials, but the central kite is made from bamboo and lightweight paper, which gives it its unique shape. The color and decoration of these kites make them exceptional, and the main attraction of the festival is watching the colorful kites fly against the sky. As the sun sets, visitors can enjoy the spectacle of box kites with lights, also known as tukkals. Alongside kite-flying, visitors can also enjoy various types of food and watch performances by artists, but the main attraction remains the kites themselves. This festival is not limited to a specific location, as families all over India also enjoy celebrating the day with kites.

Date: January
Location: Ahmedabad
State: Gujarat