International Kite

Festival in Gujarat –
Uttarayan
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International Kite Festival

Makar Sankranti

Manja (the thread with which the kite is flown)

maker in a kite market, 13 January 2007

Genre kites

Dates 14 January every year

Frequency Annually

Location(s) India
 Years active 1989— present

Website www.gujarattourism.com

Every year, Gujarat celebrates more than 200 festivals. The International Kite Festival
[1]
(Uttarayan) is one of the biggest festivals celebrated. Months beforehand, homes in
Gujarat begin to manufacture kites for the festival.

The festival of Uttarayan marks the day when winter begins to turn into summer, according
to the Indian calendar. It is the sign for farmers that the sun is back and that harvest season,
Makara Sankranti/Mahasankranti, is approaching. This is considered one of the most
important harvest days in India as it also marks the end of winter and the beginning of the
harvest season. Many cities in Gujarat organize kite competitions among their citizens.

In this region of Gujarat and many other states, Uttarayan is such a huge celebration that it
[1]
has become a public holiday in India lasting two days. During the festival, local food such
as undhiyu (a mixed vegetable including yam and beans), chikki (sesame seed brittle) and
[2][3]
jalebi are served to the crowds. Days before the festival, the market is filled with
participants buying their supplies.

In 2012, the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat mentioned that the International Kite Festival in
Gujarat was attempting to enter the Guinness World Records book due to the participation of
[4]
42 countries in it that year.

Contents

● 1
● Location
●
● 2
● Dates
●
● 3
● History
●
● 4
● Participants
●
● 5
● Types of kites
●
● 6
● Other kite festivals
●
● 7
 ● References
●

Location[edit]
[5]
The International Kite Festival, Uttarayan, is celebrated in many cities of Gujarat,
Telangana and Rajasthan including Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Surat, Vadodara,
Rajkot, Hyderabad, Nadiad, and Dakor. However, the international kite event takes place in
[6][7]
Ahmedabad (kite capital of Gujarat), which accommodates visitors from many nations.

The best place to enjoy this festival is the Sabarmati Riverfront (its Sabarmati river bank has
[8]
a capacity of over 500,000 people) or the Ahmedabad Police Stadium, where people lie
[9]
down to see the sky filled with thousands of kites.

During the festival week the markets are flooded with kite buyers and sellers. In the heart of
Ahmedabad is one of the most famous kite markets, Patang Bazaar, which during the festive
[10]
week is open 24 hours a day with buyers and sellers negotiating and buying in bulk.

Many families in Ahmadabad start making kites at home and set up small shops in their own
[11]
homes.

There is a Kite Museum located at Sanskar Kendra in Paldi area of Ahmedabad. Established
[12]
in 1985, it contains a collection of unique kites.

Other parts of India also celebrate the kite festival, in Delhi on 15 August and in most of
Bihar's districts on 14 April. People offer prayers and eat sattu (made from new crop wheat)
and new mangoes (baby mango, also known as Tikola).

Dates[edit]
The festival takes place on 14 January of each year during the Makar Sankranti and
continues until 15 January. This date marks the end of winter and the return of more clement
weather for farmers of the Gujarat region. These days have also become a public holiday
within the Gujarat state of India so that everyone can take part in the celebration. 15 January
is known as Vasi Uttarayan.

History[edit]
The symbolism of this festival is to show the awakening of the gods from their deep sleep.
Through India's history, it is said that India created the tradition of kite flying due to the kings
and royals, later followed by nawabs, who found the sport entertaining, and as a way to
display their skills and power. Over time, as the sport became popular, it began to reach the
masses. Kite flying has been a regional event in Gujarat for several years. However, the first
international festival was celebrated in 1989 when people from all across the globe
[13][1]
participated and showcased their innovative kites.

In the 2012 event, the International Kite Festival was inaugurated by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi in the presence of Governor Kamla Beniwal.

Participants[edit]

Pile of colored kites, prepared for the Uttarayan festival

The mention of this festival is in the Rigveda which dates back more than 5000 years. The
day marks the beginning of the auspicious six-month period known as Uttarayana. Today,
regardless of people's background or beliefs, they are welcome to fly kites with everyone
else in Gujarat in January. Most visitors arrive from around India, from Gujarat itself or
another state. In major cities of Gujarat, kite flying starts as early as 5 am and goes until late
[14]
at night. Approximately 8-10 million people participate in the festival.

However, many visitors come from around the world, from countries including Japan, Italy,
UK, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, the USA, Malaysia, Singapore, France, and China
to take part in the celebration.
The festival has been strongly influenced by its international participants in recent events, for
[15]
instance:

● Malaysia brought wau-balang kites.

● Indonesia brought llayang-llayanghave.
● The US brought giant banner kites.
● Japan brought Rokkaku fighting kites.
● Italy brought Italian sculptural kites.
● Chinese brought flying dragon kites.
● For other kites, see list of Kite types.
This festival is also an occasion for many public entities such as famous dancers, singers,
actors, celebrities or politicians who make an appearance and entertain the population. In
2004, for example, the (Bollywood) actress Juhi Chawla was part of the celebration and
[16]
performed a garba dance, which is very popular in India.

Types of kites[edit]
During the event, kite markets are set up alongside food stalls and performers. They are
usually made with materials such as plastic, leaves, wood, metal, nylon and other scrap
materials, but the ones for Uttarayan are made of light-weight paper and bamboo, and are
[17]
mostly rhombus shaped with a central spine and a single bow. Dye and paint are also
added to increase the glamour of the kite. The lines are covered with mixtures of glue and
ground glass which, when dried, rolled up and attached to the rear, also known as firkees,
[16]
become sharp enough to cut skin. These types of sharp lines are used on fighter kites,
known in India as patangs, to cut down other kites during kite fighting events.

On the second night of the festival, illuminated kites filled with lights and candles known as
[18]
tukals or tukkals are launched, creating a spectacle in the dark sky.

Other kite festivals[edit]

 The Blossom Kite Festival, also known as Smithsonian Kite Festival, at Washington Monument,
Washington, D.C., US, 3 March 2012

Kites are a part of the culture in Asia, which is why most kite festivals take place there. Here
[19]
are the most popular kite festivals of the world:

[20]
● Japan Kite Festival in Uchinada, Ishikawa
[21]
● China Kite Festival called Weifang International Kite Festival
[22]
● Jakarta Kite Festival in Pangandaran
● Washington D.C. International Kite Festival, formerly called Smithsonian Kite
[23]
Festival, and now known as the Blossom Kite Festival
[24]
● Indonesia Kite Festival in Bali island, Bali Kite Festival
[25]
● United-Kingdom Kite Festival in Bristol city, Bristol International Kite Festival
[26]
● Netherlands Kite Festival in Valkenswaard