Kite Festival - A Significant Part of Sankranti
How did the Kite festival start?
Kite festival in India was started in Gujarat during the days when kings were ruling the state. The festival was solely practiced by the royals as flying kites were believed to exhibit their power and strength. As days went by, even though monarchical rule gave way to democratic rule, kite-flying never left the place, which is why, even today, Gujarat gets crowded during the festival of Sankranti. The International Kite festival in India is all set to rock Gujarat during Sankranti 2014 too for two days, that is, 14th and 15th of January. This kite festival sees enormous participation from people all over the globe and it has become a major reason for the increased revenue for the tourism ministry of the state. This festival has assumed such large proportions that the two days of the festival are declared as public holidays.
Vibrant nature of the kite festival
Gujarat is indeed a state to watch out for during Sankranti 2014. Tourists can plan their trip in such a way that they are in the state during the festival to witness sheer magic in the skies. The markets and bazaars that are lined up as the festive season comes close are the hubs of thousands of varieties of colourful kites. One must visit these markets to know what is in store for them. In the major city of Ahmedabad, there is an exclusive market dedicated to selling kites and it known as Patang Bazaar, where Patang means kite. Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Uttrayan in Gujarat and to feel the real essence of the kite festival, one must visit the state during this season. Kite flying starts as early as 5 AM on the 14th of January every year and goes on till the wee hours of midnight. People compete with each other tirelessly during this festival. In the state of Gujarat, kite festival is the dominating celebration during Sankranti.
Varieties of kites
During Sankranti, the kite markets of Gujarat sell kites made of different kinds of material like plastic, wood, bamboo, leaves, metal etc. Some of the kites made from these materials are so sharp that they have the ability to cut through one's skin. The long thread that is used to navigate the kites in the sky is known as Maanja and one has to be careful while operating it because it can prove to be fatal if the maanja cuts across one's neck. On the second day of Uttrayan, that is on the 15th, during the evening hours, the entire country and especially Gujarat is lit up with thousands of kites adorning the black clouds. These kites have small candles and lights on them which give a divine look to the entire ambience. The kite festival concludes the Sankranti celebration in many parts of North India and even as it finishes, it makes people wait for the next year. Such is the excitement, entertainment and fun that this festival creates in the minds of the people. Of late, this kite festival is seeing people from countries like Indonesia, Japan, China, UK etc. participate in it, thereby giving it a great international exposure.
Kite festival in India was started in Gujarat during the days when kings were ruling the state. The festival was solely practiced by the royals as flying kites were believed to exhibit their power and strength. As days went by, even though monarchical rule gave way to democratic rule, kite-flying never left the place, which is why, even today, Gujarat gets crowded during the festival of Sankranti. The International Kite festival in India is all set to rock Gujarat during Sankranti 2014 too for two days, that is, 14th and 15th of January. This kite festival sees enormous participation from people all over the globe and it has become a major reason for the increased revenue for the tourism ministry of the state. This festival has assumed such large proportions that the two days of the festival are declared as public holidays.
Vibrant nature of the kite festival
Gujarat is indeed a state to watch out for during Sankranti 2014. Tourists can plan their trip in such a way that they are in the state during the festival to witness sheer magic in the skies. The markets and bazaars that are lined up as the festive season comes close are the hubs of thousands of varieties of colourful kites. One must visit these markets to know what is in store for them. In the major city of Ahmedabad, there is an exclusive market dedicated to selling kites and it known as Patang Bazaar, where Patang means kite. Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Uttrayan in Gujarat and to feel the real essence of the kite festival, one must visit the state during this season. Kite flying starts as early as 5 AM on the 14th of January every year and goes on till the wee hours of midnight. People compete with each other tirelessly during this festival. In the state of Gujarat, kite festival is the dominating celebration during Sankranti.
Varieties of kites
During Sankranti, the kite markets of Gujarat sell kites made of different kinds of material like plastic, wood, bamboo, leaves, metal etc. Some of the kites made from these materials are so sharp that they have the ability to cut through one's skin. The long thread that is used to navigate the kites in the sky is known as Maanja and one has to be careful while operating it because it can prove to be fatal if the maanja cuts across one's neck. On the second day of Uttrayan, that is on the 15th, during the evening hours, the entire country and especially Gujarat is lit up with thousands of kites adorning the black clouds. These kites have small candles and lights on them which give a divine look to the entire ambience. The kite festival concludes the Sankranti celebration in many parts of North India and even as it finishes, it makes people wait for the next year. Such is the excitement, entertainment and fun that this festival creates in the minds of the people. Of late, this kite festival is seeing people from countries like Indonesia, Japan, China, UK etc. participate in it, thereby giving it a great international exposure.
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