International Kite Festival Images: International Kite Festival is held at Ahmedabad on January 14 every year, to coincide with the festival of Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti. Makar Sankranti is a festival that heralds a change of season marking the movement of the sun into the northern hemisphere – a celebration to mark the end of winter. The skies are blue and clear, a cool breeze blows and a feeling of anticipation, joy and jubilation grips all who celebrate the occasion. In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as the kite-flying day. Kite-flying day in Gujarat is an extraordinary day, unlike at other places. Ahmedabad, Gujarat‘s premier city, leads the way in the celebration of Uttarayani, and is the venue of the International Kite Festival.
International Kite Festival images:
Spectators watch as a huge colourful kite is flown on the inaugural day of the International Kite Festival 2016 in Ahmedabad on January 10, 2016
Spectators watch as a doll shaped kite is flown on the inaugural day of the International Kite Festival 2016 in Ahmedabad on January 10, 2016
Participants fly kites during the International Kite festival in Ahmedabad on January 11, 2016
International kite master fly kite during the International Kite festival in Ahmedabad on January 10, 2016
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel flies a kite on the inaugural day of the International Kite Festival 2016 in Ahmedabad on January 10, 2016
A man prepares to fly a kite during the 30th International Kite Festival in Berck-sur-Mer in northern France on April 12, 2016
People prepare to fly a kite in the shape of a dragon during the 30th International Kite Festival in Berck-sur-Mer in northern France on April 12, 2016
People fly a kite in the shape of comic strip character Papa Smurf during the 30th International Kite Festival in Berck-sur-Mer in northern France on April 12, 2016
People fly kites during the 30th International Kite Festival in Berck-sur-Mer in northern France on April 12, 2016
People fly kites during the 30th International Kite Festival in Berck-sur-Mer in northern France on April 12, 2016
People fly kites of different shapes and colours during the 30th International Kite Festival in Berck-sur-Mer in northern France on April 12, 2016
People fly kites of different shapes and colours during the 30th International Kite Festival in Berck-sur-Mer in northern France on April 12, 2016
Kite enthusiasts participate in the St Annes Kite Festival on the seafront in Lytham St Annes, northwest England on July 30, 2016.
Kite enthusiasts participate in the St Annes Kite Festival on the seafront in Lytham St Annes, northwest England on July 30, 2016.
David Hoggan of the Kuwaiti Al Farsi Kite Team checks a kite before flying it in the St Annes Kite Festival on the seafront in Lytham St Annes, northwest England on July 30, 2016.
Kite enthusiasts participate in the St Annes Kite Festival on the seafront in Lytham St Annes, northwest England on July 30, 2016.
Kite enthusiasts participate in the St Annes Kite Festival on the seafront in Lytham St Annes, northwest England on July 30, 2016.
Kite-flying festival is being held in important cities of Gujarat each year. The festival draws expert kite-makers and flyers not only from cities of India but also from around the world. Designer’s Kites of infinite variety are displayed at the venue.
The festival is held either at Sardar Patel Stadium or the Police Stadium.
People eagerly wait for the International Kite Festival, and special excitement is seen in youngsters. International Kite Festival attracts kite enthusiasts from all over the world to gather here on the day to enjoy and test their kite flying skills.
The festival symbolizes the onset of autumn. People irrespective of caste, creed, sex, region, or religion participate in the IKF.
Thus it inculcates the spirit of brotherhood and togetherness among the common men as well as they get the opportunity to meet foreigners.
The Patang Bazaar is the hot spot for the youth during this festival. The sky looks gorgeous with kites in innumerable tones, designs, and shapes of the kites being flown in the air.