Kite festivals of India, also known as International Kite Festivals are significant festive events which celebrate one of the most traditional entertainment activities of the country the flying of kites. Various Indian states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar witness kite fighting festivals which are observed with great gusto. Bamboo and single-string paper kites are flown from the terraces of several households during such festivals, and it is quite evident from these occasions that kites are immensely popular in the nation. However, the custom of kite festivals also possesses psychological impacts, besides its fun quotient. People must keep a constant vigil over the flying kites or `Patang` or `Guddi`, which signifies a boost in self-confidence and is believed to alleviate depression, apart from enhancing the concentration power of the flyer. Friendly battles are initiated wherein people cut each other`s kite lines by certain practised technique, which is called `Pench Ladana`.
Kite Festival of Gujarat
During `Makar Sankranti` or `Uttarayan`, International Kite Festival of Gujarat is celebrated with pomp. Brightly coloured kites of various shapes and sizes crowd the sky, particularly metal, plastic, wood, nylon and other forms of kites. Lighted kites, illumined with lights or candles are sent flying across the night sky of Gujarat, which are locally named `tukkals`. Participants from China, Malaysia, Australia, UK, Japan, France, USA, Indonesia and Italy assemble at this famous kite festival, to display their kite flying skills. Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Nadiad are the official venues of this festival, including the Sardar Patel Stadium of Gujarat. A two-day public holiday is declared by the Government of India during the festival which starts on 14th January and lasts till 15th January.
Kite Festival of Rajasthan
Rajasthan`s Kite Festival is also referred to as the `Desert Kite Festival` and is organised in Jaipur since the last five years during Uttarayan. Visitors would observe enormous kites being flown across the vast sky, some measuring about 1.5 kms in length. Jaipur Polo Grounds is the main venue and Jaipur Kite Festival is also held in Jodhpur. `Kite Flying Session` and `Kite War` are the two different sections of the festive event, which is enriched with kites of numerable colours like yellow, red, green, pink, fushcia, blue, ochre, etc. It is observed on the 14th of January every year. Attractive motifs, rare designs and caricatures of Indian politicians add to the many hues of the kites.
Kite Festival of Punjab
Kite festivals are popular in Punjab and Haryana, particularly during the holy occasion of `Basant Panchami`. The small town of Ferozepur in Punjab is reputable for its age-old tradition of flying kites, which is a sport in which almost all children and adults gladly indulge into. The inhabitants of Punjab fly kites, from the roof-tops of local homes. Apart from flying kites, songs are played at high volume while children shake a leg accompanied by rhythmic beats of music, as kites are being flown. Fancy, coloured kites are employed in the Kite Festival of Punjab and joyful cries rent the atmosphere whenever people cut the kites of their opponents. A string known as `Manjha` is utilized to fly kites, and innumerable kites from various portions of the country visit Punjab to witness the festival. It is observed on the fifth day of `Magh` month.
Kite Festival of Bihar
International Kite Festival of Patna is amongst the noted festivals of the state of Bihar and it is also famous as the `Patangotsava`, celebrated during Makar Sankranti, on 14th January. Kites of numerous colours, shapes and dimensions beautify the sky and people belonging to all age groups willingly participate in the practise of flying kites. They derive intense pleasure from challenging each other for cutting the strings of their kites. Many national and global kite fliers attend the Kite Festival of Patna, and showcase their kite flying talents through their beautiful kites.
Kite Festival of West Bengal
The Kite Festival of West Bengal commences amidst the ceremonial blowing of conch-shells and it is noticed during the festive occasion of Durga Puja. Millions of tourists throng this state to be a part of this fabulous festival in which members of travel agencies and tourism ministry are involved in flying kites. Children take great delight in flying brightly shaded kites and the Kite Festival of West Bengal is celebrated on the day of `Mahalaya` which falls a week prior to Durga Puja.
During the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, which constitutes the Indian spring festival, innumerable kites are flown by many people, all over parts of northern India. Prior to Uttarayan, a grand International Kite Festival is conducted in areas like Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara in Gujarat.