The International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad is a spectacle like no other, celebrated just before Makar Sankranti a Hindu festival. Kite makers and flyers showcase their skills in both exhibition and the thrilling combats in the sky, a tradition that is known to be over 2000 years old. It's not just about kite flying; it's a cultural extravaganza where people pay homage to the Sun God and revel in communal joy. You’ll see the city of Ahmedabad completely engulfed in vibrant colors with the entire city's skyline dotted with kites of myriad shapes and sizes.
What happens at the Kite Festival in India?
Since its inception in 1989, the Kite Festival has become a pivotal part of the Uttarayan celebrations, attracting kite aficionados globally from countries like Japan, Spain, Malaysia, Brazil and more. The sky becomes a canvas where professional kite flyers paint with their colorful creations. Among the festival's highlights is the Kite Parade, featuring an array of elaborately adorned kites, sometimes with as many as 70 kites tethered to a single string. This year almost 126 kite flyers from over 53 countries will be participating in the festival. It's a battleground for kite flyers, and below, traditional craft stalls buzz with the skillful hands of artisans. Preparation for this grand event begins months in advance. By November, kite production ramps up and colorful kites start to saturate markets across Gujarat. The heart of this fervor is Patang Bazaar, which buzzes non-stop as the festival approaches, staying open 24 hours!
The festival also sets the stage for various activities, some of which break world records, such as the largest number of kite flyers gathered in one place. More than 1000 children perform Suryanamaskar, an homage to the Sun, while Rushikumars recite Aditya Stuti. On the day of Uttarayan everyone feasts on a traditional nastha (breakfast) and dishes like 'Undhiyu' often had with thepla, roti or puri is popular among locals. As dusk falls, cultural programs light up the evening. There are exhibition stalls that offer a deep dive into kite-making artistry and local traditions.
Dates & Venue for the Kite Festival
The Kite Festival in Gujarat will happen from 8 to 14 January 2024. The timings are 10 AM onwards, and the primary venue will be the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad.
Schedule
- 7th January, 2024 - Inauguration in Ahemadabad
- 8th January, 2024 - Vadodara & Ahmedabad
- 9th January, 2024 - Kevadiya, Dwarka & Ahmedabad
- 10th January, 2024 - Surat, Rajkot & Ahmedabad
- 11th January, 2024 - Dhordo, Vadnagar & Ahmedabad
- 12th to 14th January, 2024 - Ahmedabad
