Every year on 14th January, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, the capital city of Rajasthan hosts International Kite Festival. It’s the ultimate spot for kite lovers who are enthusiastic about kite flying. The festival is so popular that not only the natives but tourists from far off places attend the event.
The festival of Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival which aims to express gratitude towards the Almighty for a bountiful harvest. Although kite flying doesn’t have a historical relevance to the festival, it has become more of a trend. However, it is believed that flying kite for an entire day exposes the body to sunlight for a long time which in turn eradicates the infections of the body.
The International Kite Festival is a three-day celebration filled with excitement and thrill. People in large numbers gather at the event to participate in kite flying contest. The Force helicopters release kites from high above the ground while children release balloons in the air to add to the beauty of the colorful sky.
Image Source: Rajasthan Tourism Buzz
The festival is inaugurated at the Jaipur Polo Ground and on the concluding day, there is even a prize distribution ceremony for the winners in Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. The competition is held in two different sections- one is Kite War and the second is Friendly Kite Flying Session.
While the kite war is a nail-biting competition where kite flyers show off their skills, the friendly kite flying session is all about showcasing colorful and attractive kites in the sky. To add to the fun, there is also music in the form of drum beating and the fervor continues from dawn to dusk.
