Kite Festival

Kite Festival

 

The International Kite Festival is an annual event that takes place on Makar Sankranti in the city of Jaipur. The festival attracts enthusiastic kite fliers from different parts of India to enjoy the delight of kite flying. It is one of the most colorful festivals and is marked by much amusement and excitement. Held on the occasion of Makar Sankranthi, the Kite Festival of Jaipur takes place in January every year. Various kite flying competitions are organised at the Polo ground of Jaipur where the festival is hosted. If you want to experience a glorious sight of thousand kites, make sure to catch a glimpse of the lanterns at night.

 

 

Kite Festival in Jaipur

 

Rajasthan is one of the most vibrant states of India, and its charm reaches up to the brim during the International kite festival in Jaipur. Celebrated every year from 14th-16th of January; the festival witnesses huge participation from voracious kite fliers. People from all over India travel to the city to rejoice the fun and frolic of the kite festival. The three-day festival spills both colors and thrill in the air of Jaipur. As Makar Sankranti is a government holiday, the city celebrates the day off during the festival as people from different age groups engage themselves in the battle of kites. One can usher in the aura of children running over the streets, kids chasing kites and people from their rooftops struggling to cut the other person's kite. The whole city witnesses the flying of myriad kites with their different shapes and colors. The kites which are adorned with lights add more brightness to the already illuminated scenario. People cheer in the revelry of kite festival by either enjoying the enchanting spectacle of blue, green, yellow, purple and orange kites against the serene blue January sky or by zealously participating in the battle of kite flying. The festival provides a kaleidoscopic view of the vibrant art, culture, and heritage of Rajasthan. One of the unique festivals in Rajasthan, the carnival is enjoyed equally by all the people.

 

Significance Of the Festival

 

The Kite flying festival is celebrated every year on Makar Sankranti, and there is an age long history behind this merriment. Winters make one's body dry and dormant, and people suffer from frequent bouts of cold and cough. The move of the sun towards Uttarayana is believed to begin on Makar Sankranti. It is celebrated with much enthusiasm as it's rays help heal the infections afflicted to a person during winters. Thus the people of Jaipur cheer over this movement of the sun from Sundhanu Rashi that is the month marked by Sagittarius to the Capricorn month of Makara Rashi.

 

Features & Events at the Festival

 

The lively festival of kites is the cynosure of January in Jaipur.

Here's a list of things that make the festival all the more interesting:

 

• On the day of the celebration, people express their reverence to the sun by taking a holy dip in the auspicious water of Galtaji. They pray to the sun to bestow them with a healthy life and good harvest.

• Along with the kite flying activities, people of Jaipur also relish the delicious delicacies prepared especially during this day. These include the city's famous sesame brittle and seeds ( Gajak and Til ke Laddu respectively) and the renowned fiber sweet called Feeni. Thus the delicious feast complements the savory ambiance of Jaipur.

• Since the whole city immerses in the celebrations, the kite festival majorly takes place in the Jaipur Polo Ground where it is also inaugurated. Besides, people fly kites from their rooftops, from over the monuments, in the streets and forts like Nahargarh.

• The government of Rajasthan organizes the three day Kite festival in Jaipur. The whole city shuts down, shops are closed, and banks do not open on this day, to celebrate the festivity.

• The fiesta is divided into two parts, namely the Friendly Kite Flying session and the event of Kite War. People participate with an enthusiastic spirit to win the prizes that are distributed on the last day of the festival within the premises of Umaid Bhawan Palace.

 

Why Visit the Kite Festival?

 

The Kite festival is one of the grand festivals that are celebrated in India. People from across the globe come to watch or participate in the unprecedented pump and show of kite flying. The colors of the pink city shine brighter as a slew of vivid, colorful kites adorn the placid sky of Jaipur and present an enthralling spectacle. The rock music and meticulous dancers add to the vibrance of the ambiance. One can also enjoy a camel ride while cherishing the beauty of the carnival. Besides, the mouth-watering sweets and the traditional food prepared on this day would render one an experience worth relishing.