Flying a kite puts a smile on faces, and there are plenty of giggles and running around. It is a whimsical event in most children's lives, plus the odd adult who hasn't put away childish things.
Flying kites are believed to have been invented by the Chinese about 3,000 years ago, and the country is considered the 'Kite Flying Capital of the World.' Using silk fabric for the kite shape and silk thread for the flying line, they were framed by bamboo. These early kites were used not for play, but for the serious business of measuring distances and gauging wind velocity during war. From this serious task, the pleasure of flying kites grew as they became associated with festivals. Like most ancient traditions, the expansion of kite flying quickly spread around other parts of Asia (Japan, India, and Korea) and eventually to the rest of the world. Today, kites are crafted from anything and everything that kids can get their hands on, to the elaborate and wildly decorated for the connoisseurs. There are numerous kite festivals around the globe where thousands of people run around with their arms in the air while clinging tenaciously to the connecting rope of a colorful kite, while crowds gawk in appreciation at the magical scene of kites dancing and darting in the wind.
The Makar Sankranti celebrations are aligned with the Kite Festival of Uttarayan, but there are slight differences in their origins. Makar Sankranti began with the single idea that people need sunlight, hence the marking of the end of winter with a flurry of kites soaring from rooftops. Uttarayan has its roots in both religious beliefs and acknowledging the seasons by marking the start of the harvest season in India. Kites are let loose to soar in the belief of enlightenment and grace.
The festivals are not just kites flitting in the wind but a vibrant affair when firecrackers explode, and paper lanterns of all sizes light up the sky in a brilliance of various colors. This Hindu festival happens annually in mid-January. Colorful kites with wagging tails appear like a crazy flock of birds gone mad as they are flown from rooftops, terraces, and balconies. Onlookers peer to the heavens in amazement at the artistic display of fluttering creations. Traditional sweets ‘Til ke Laddu' (sesame balls) are devoured, and taking a dip in one of the many rivers in India creates hilarious family moments. Kite festivals in India encourage friendship and family gatherings while uniting people. The best festivals are in North India, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
For the most riotous fun flying kites, head to one of the cities below:
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
The kite flying festival here is a riotous affair of friendly rivals competing to be the master of the skies. The aim of the game is to cut the string of an opponent's kite and boast about it by yelling out 'Kai Po Che' (I have cut). The sky over the Sabarmati Riverfront is a moving mass of incredible and unique kites found only in Ahmedabad. The picturesque setting is surpassed only by the release of glowing lanterns from the riverbanks and the rooftops over the city when the sun sets.
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Jaipur becomes a street party town during the kite festival. Not only are kites extraordinaire darting in the sky, but raucous music fills the streets, food stalls overflow with local treats, and impressive dance performances appear out of nowhere. One of the highlights of the kite-flying festival is a kite war (participants have to cut as many kites as they can) and kite-flying sessions that children can join in.
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Jodhpur's kite festival differs from the rest of the country in that it includes the International Desert Kite Festival, a three-day affair held at the Polo Ground that attracts kite flyers worldwide. It's a spectacle only topped by Air Force helicopters getting in on the act, releasing kites as they fly around. With two angles to the festival, one competition for cutting kites and the other for kite display, making it a celebration unlike the other cities.
Udaipur, Rajasthan
The stunning city of Udaipur puts on an incredible show during the kite festival when the skies are littered with creative and colorful visions fluttering in time with the wind gusts. A city of serene lakes and opulent palaces, when the skies are fluttering with kites, it’s a fairytale vision. The city’s vibe thrums to the sounds of music, local temples light up, and cultural performances happen everywhere.
Delhi, India
The vibrant and massive capital city of Delhi, with its old heart dating back to the 1600s, becomes alive during the kite flying festival, with locals mingling with tourists from around the world. A dynamic blend of masterful kite flying and special cultural performances make the festival a one-of-a-kind event. Imagine the picture created in the sky when rainbow colorful kites fly above iconic landmarks such as the majestic Mughal-era Red Fort or the Jama Masjid mosque. It's a touch of childish fantasia amidst Delhi's spicey and exotic sprawl.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
