Colourful kites in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
© Anand Purohit/Getty Image
Paint the sky with colours. International Kite Festival
This is celebrated widely in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the International Kite Festival is primarily the celebration of Makar Sankranti which connotes a lot of new beginnings and good omen. To name a few, this festival denotes the beginning of Hindu New Year, the Sun’s journey to North, the Sun’s transition into Makar Rashi (Capricorn sunshine), the summer season and a new harvest season.
Colorful kites of different shapes and sizes adorn the skyline of many cities in Gujarat and some parts of Telangana and Rajasthan, offering quite a beautiful sight for the viewers. Makar Sankranti is also popularly known as ‘Uttarayan’ in many regions of India, especially in Gujarat. This festival is celebrated in many unique and creative ways across the country. Some indulge in lighting a bonfire, some in feasting while some in kite flying like it is celebrated in Gujarat.