International Kite Festival Gujarat

The spirit of Gujarat soars high during the International Kite Festival. Since 1989, Gujarat Tourism has hosted International Kite Festival as a part of the official celebration of Uttarayan. The festival brings together master kite flyers and creators from every corner of the world to demonstrate their creations and to decorate the skyline with unusual types of kites. In past years, kites from nook and corner of the world have adorned the skyline of Gujarat-Malaysia have brought their wau-balang kites, llayang-llayanghave come from Indonesia, kite innovators from the USA brought with them giant banner kites, and Japanese rokkaku fighting kites have shared the space with Italian sculptural kites and Chinese flying dragons.

It's during the festival of Uttarayan when the entire skyline of Gujarat is decorated with beautiful kites from dawn to dusk. As per the Hindu calendar, the festival is celebrated when winter begins turning to summer. According to the dwellers of Gujarat, kite flying is a symbolic indication of the change in the weather. On this day, locals are hardly seen on the streets as everybody takes to the rooftop of their respective houses to fly kites and compete with the neighbours. Scrumptious treats like laddoos, undhyu or surati jamun are types of food and sweets that are specially prepared for the festival.

Sabarmati waterfront, Kutch, and Mandvi beach are some good places to enjoy the festival. Excitement runs high in Kutch during the International Kite Festival as winds lift the kites of various shapes and sizes to the deep blue skies, creating a kaleidoscope of colors. Winds from seven seas help the kite soar the sky over the heritage city of Kutch. Tourists are floored by the kite warriors, infected with the kite fever and consumed by the burning desire to rule the sky when they will visit Gujarat during the kite festival. A day celebrated in Gujarat on a rooftop during the festival gives one an experience that no other can match or talk.

When: 14th January

Where: Across Gujarat: Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Nadiad are the major kite flying centres.

Duration: one day