by Sangeeta Deogawanka

Created on: January 11, 2009

In the recent decades, India has featured as one of the hottest faith and cultural tourism destinations in the world. One such spectacular event is the Kite Festival in western parts of India. Kite aficionados and culture vultures alike, flock to witness and participate in the various International Kite Festivals held in Goa and the States of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Held every year on 14th January as two-day or three-day festivals, these have traditionally evolved as part of the Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti when the sun enters the Makar (Capricorn) rashi according to Hindu astrology. However, today the kite festivals have assumed immense cultural and tourism significance with world class participation in kite displays and competitive flying.

The festival of Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of the harvest season, when homage is paid to the mother earth. Kite flying is one such time-honored ritual of oblation to the sun, first patronized by the Kings and Nawaabs as a dedication to the Surya God. Thereafter the practice has picked up over the centuries, with people gathering on terraces and fields, to indulge in this age-old leisure activity. The fun and frolic associated with kite flying during Makar Sankranti festival has given way to four prime Kite Festivals, namely in Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Jaipur and Jodhpur (Rajasthan) and Goa.

These Kite Festivals are celebrated with much pomp and splendour for weeks leading up to Makar Sankranti. The amazing kite-fights, exhibitions and competitions are today attracting visitors, tourists and kite enthusiasts from every corner of the world. Indigenous colourful splendour vies with international kite-flying technology, at these much-publicized and awaited kite festivals. With the added allure of extraordinary kite displays and the taste of traditional Sankranti cuisine of til' (sesame) and gud' (jaggery) sweets and more, it is no wonder that the International Kite Festivals of India have become a part of global faith tourism.

THE INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL AT AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT

The festival goes by the name of Uttarayan or Kites Day' in Gujarat State, where Uttar' means North' and ayan' means movement towards'. This denotes the transitory movement of the sun northwards from the day of Sankranti.

With frenzied cut-throat kite-flying from roof-tops, fields and competition venues, the festival kick starts officially on the eve of Makar Sankranti at dawn. People of different ages and nationalities come together to share a

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