International Kite Festival, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
| Year | Dates |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Jan 14 – 15 , 2023 |
| 2024 | To be announced |
International Kite Festival is one of the best festivals of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Since 1989, this festival has been celebrated every year in the month of January in Ahmedabad by the State Government. The Kite Festival is dedicated to the celebration of Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti for a period of 2 days in the state. The International Kite Festival is a celebration unique to the state of Gujarat and is celebrated with huge pomp and grandeur. Considered to be one of the biggest festivals of Gujarat, the International Kite Festival also turns out to be the best festival tours of India. Expert kite makers and kite flyers from India and abroad are invited or hired to display their expertise and skills in the art of kite making and kite flying. The Kite Festival 2023 dates are 14th and 15th January.
History behind the International Kite Festival
The festival is a symbolism to show the Gods awakening from their deep sleep, marking the beginning of summer days in the Hindu Calendar, which is Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti. The tradition of kite flying was a hobby during the days of kings, royals, and nawabs. In due course of time, kite flying began to reach the common men. Kite flying became a hobby as well as sports for many. It was in the year 1989, the first international kite festival was held, and gradually it became a grand annual festival organized by the state government. People from all across the world participate and display their innovative designs in kites. As per reports, there are almost 8 to 10 million visitors who participate in this festival every year.
International Participations
The International Kite Festival has become very popular these days. People from all over the world pay a visit to Ahmedabad during this time. There are international visitors for both tourism and business purpose as this festival provides a gateway to international kite manufacturers and innovators to show their beautifully designed kites.
In the past few years, Gujarat has seen the entry of kite manufacturers from Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, USA, China, Italy etc. Ahmedabad skies see not only the Indian-made kites flying but also the international innovative kites like wau-balang kites from Malaysia, rokkaku fighting kites from Japan, flying dragon kites from China, giant banner kites from USA, sculptural kites from Italy and many more such innovative kites from all across the globe.
Business avenue
The festival opens up business avenues for International and national kite manufacturers Production of kites start on the streets of Ahmedabad from November onwards. The special kite market “Patang Bajar” in old Ahmedabad is kept open for 24 hours for kite lovers, one week before the event to stock up kites.
Highlights of the festival
On the 2-days of the kite festival, all normal activities seem to close down in Gujarat, and everyone is in a holiday mood to enjoy the festival elaborately. There is an ambience of fun and festivities, and the laughter of people echoes in the wind. Right from the young and the old to the children, everyone is on the roads or terraces, roof tops or open spaces to fly kites, compete with each other and celebrate Makar Sankranti. Ladies of the house get busy preparing various Gujarati delicacies, serving friends, relatives and neighbours who visit each other for kite-flying fun in groups.
The beautiful blue sky is decked up with colourful kites of all shapes and sizes. You will see hand-painted artistic kites, high-speed sport kites, colourful box kites flying all around. A major highlight is the kite of a master kite maker Rasulbhai Rahimbhai of Ahmedabad. There are 500 kites flying on a single string and this remains a great attraction till date.
The festival provides a chance for common people to display their kite flying skills. The skies are decked up with kites right from the morning till late at night. Kite flyers and manufacturers of kites from all over the world visit Gujarat during the festival time to display their kite creations and woo the crowd with their beautiful kites. Such is the ambience of Uttarayan in the International Kite Festival in Gujarat, which is also one of the best festival tours in India.
There is a whole new splash of hues and colours during the International Kite Festival every year. At night, the kites that are flown are usually in white colours so that they are easy to be seen in the darkness. And also, you could see “tukkals” with brightly lit lanterns in the night skies of Ahmedabad. From early morning to late at night, International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad, Gujarat provides lots of fun and beautiful sights to cherish for a long time.
Inbound tour operators in India offer discounted fares and tour plans to celebrate the kite festival in Ahmedabad. Plan your visit to Ahmedabad for 2023 International Kite Festival well in advance. The Kite Festival 2023 in Gujarat will be celebrated at Sabarmati Riverfront, Ashram Road in Ahmedabad on January 14th and 15th.
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