The unique International Kite Festival or Uttarayan is celebrated in Gujarat. This festival is celebrated on the day which marks turning of winter season in summer. Uttarayan is celebrated on 14thJanuary every year, also called as Makar Sankranti in other parts of India. The day is celebrated with a great spirit.
On this day the normal activities take a pause and almost everyone despite of their religion participate in the festival. The festival starts from the dawn and puts up a splendorous demonstration till dusk.
Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. (Photo: Gujarat Global)
Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. (Photo: Gujarat Global)
International Kite Festival. (Photo: Angels Only)
International Kite Festival. (Photo: For Angels Only)
At a glance
Since 1989, the city of Ahmedabad has hosted the International Kite Festival. The main attribute of the festival is the show of ‘diversity’ in all aspects. Kites all shapes and sizes are seen in the sky and the main competition is to cut the strings of nearby kite flyers and bring it down. For this purpose people intend to make their strings and sharp as possible, to give a tough fight. The special kite strings are coated with the mixture of glass and glue called as ‘manjha’.
International Tourists @ Kite Festival in Gujarat. (Photo: World News)
Kite flying enthusiasts from different parts of the world arrive at Ahmedabad to take part in the international competition. (Photo: Urmi)
Many visitors from USA, Japan, Mexico, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and France participate in this festival. Kites made of leaves, paper, plastics, shiny material cover the sky on this day. All members of family gather on the roof top to enjoy the festival. Women sing traditional songs relating to the coming home of god. They also prepare special foods like laddoos, surati jamun or undhyu and over the course of the day relatives and friends visit each other to exchange greetings.
History
The tradition of flying kites in India has been drawn from either Muslim traders who bought this tradition from Persia or the Buddhist pilgrims from China. Kites have been mentioned in number of inscriptions, miniature paintings and also in songs composed by Santnambe. Although the festival of Uttarayan is a Hindu Festival, the tradition is thought to have existed with the Nawabs. Since, Gujarat is the state situated in the westernmost part of India, the tradition of Hindus and Muslims had unified together, making it a culture.
Location
Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. (Photo: Xcite Fun)
Uttarayan is celebrated in almost all cities of Gujarat. The festivity can best be experienced in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodra, Rajkot and Nadiad. However, the main centre of this festival is Ahmedabad where participants from all countries show interest. The best place to lay and watch on this day would be the Sardar Patel Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad is a well connected city. You can board a train or book a flight easily from any major city of the country. You can also go by car and experience the beauty of landscape.
The week preceding Uttaryan , the markets exhibit variety of kites in all shapes and sizes. In the heart of Ahmedabad, the famous Kite Bazaar presents a spectacular range of kites which during the festive week is open almost the whole day. Many families make their own kites and sell in small shops.
International Kite Festival 2013
If you are a passionate Kite lover, participate in the International Kite Festival 2013 and be a part of the rejoicing festival. Make you bookings as soon as possible to be among the Gujarati this January.
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