International Kite Festival
The birth of International Kite Festival date backs in the year 1989 and since then it is held in Ahmedabad every year. The International Kite festival is one of the most colorful events in Gujarat.
The sky is filled with dazzling colorful kites which came from all around globe. The International Kite Festival is celebrated along the same day when Makar Sakranti or Uttarayan is celebrated i.e. on 14th January. Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited sponsors the festival.
The festival is held either at Sardar Patel Stadium or the Police Stadium.
People eagerly waits for International kite festival, special excitement is seen in youngsters. International Kite Festival attracts kite enthusiasts from all over the world 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 opportunity to meet foreigners.
The Patang Bazaar is the hot spot of the youth during this festival. The sky looks absolutely gorgeous with kites in innumerable tones, designs and shapes of the kites being flown in the air.
During this festive occasion, the markets provide you with distinctive varieties of kites, differing in color, design and style. Thus, there is a multitude of options available for you to choose from.
International Kite Festival also holds religious significance. The festival is held on Makar Sakranti and on that day it is believed that the sun moves into the northern hemisphere, thus emits harmful rays. Elders insist to keep away all things, people visit temples and offer alms to the poor. It is believed that the day marks the awakening of gods who were slumbered from last six months and the gateway of heaven is opened. It is a signal for merry-making.
Ever since man has born on the earth he had the keen desire to fly. This longing inspired him to draft his imagination into the invention of kites. Their exhilarating and glorious history is depicted in the Kite Museum of Ahmedabad.
200 BC: Huein Tsang flew a kite at night to scare the army of Liu Pang of Han dynasty in china.
100 BC to 500 AD: Army generals used kites to send signals and also to measure the distance of enemy camps.
930 AD: The word "Shiroshi" was first mentioned in Japanese literature for kite where 'Shi' means paper and 'Roshi' stands for the Chinese bird.
960 to 1126 AD: Flying kites was popular means of recreation in China. People celebrated the 9th day of the ninth month as the day of expulsion of evil, by flying kites.
1542 AD: The word ' Patang' finds its first mention in Indian literature. The word was used by Manzan in 'Madhumalti', where the flight of a kite is associated with the loved one by a poet.
1752 AD: Benjamin Franklin propelled a kite to prove that lightning was the result of same electric material that generated electricity. To demonstrate the production of lighting from the electricity an experiment was conduced in which wooden sticks were affixed to four corners of a square silk handkerchief and a projecting metal wire with sharp edge was attached to it. When an electrified cloud was passed over the kite, lightning was drawn down through the pointed wire.
1870 AD: Box-kites were designed by an Australian Lawrence Hargrave whose invention was an inspiration for others to create power driven aeroplanes.
1896 AD: Alexander Graham Bell designed ' tetra' by combining lightweight sticks. He flew 'Frost King" kite of 256 cells and improvised it to have 1300, and later 3393 cells. At the same time, Samuel Cody carried out experiments with man carrying diplane gliders.
1902 AD: The Wright brothers, were successful in becoming airborne, age of aviation begins.
Basically the kite is made from colourful papers and glue but nowadays other materials are also being used. The thread used for flying kites is coated with a mixture of glue and ground glass. They are dried and rolled onto reels known as 'firkees'. They must be used carefully as the strings are sharp enough to cut a finger.
The huge crowd in this market proves the craze of people about kites and kite flying. A visit to this bazaar clears the obsession of entire population of the city with patangs.
International Kite Flying Festival begins with the break of dawn, people start gathering in open fields. Youngs, olds, children all keep themselves busy in flying kites and continues all through the day without any breaks.
The enthusiasm of the people is noticeable by the shouts of ‘Wo Kata’. Kite flying competition is held among them. The excitement in the environment is seen and the shouts of joy are heard.
The beauty of dark sky is glamorized by series of illuminated box kites known as 'Tukkals'.
Some of the kite flyers display their kite flying skills to win the Fighter Kite Competition whereas others calmly fly the kite showcasing their beautiful kites for the overwhelming viewers. Trophies are awarded to the winners.
A competition of painting the kite with the colors of imagination and cultural programme are also organized. There is musical vibrations in the air and traditional delicacies are especially prepared for this day.
This festival is celebrated to give farewell to winter season and give a warm welcome to the summer season. The city fills with the colours of life during this festive occasion. People forget all their work and just gather in a big ground or terrace of their houses for flying kites.
Local kite flying festivals are held in other cities as well.Regions like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi etc. also celebrate this kite festival with great enthusiasm. The Kite Festival of Rajasthan holds special importance as a number of tourists visit this festival every year to participate and see the state at its colorful best.
The International Kite Festival is celebrated along the same day when Makar Sakranti or Uttarayan is celebrated i.e. on 14th January. The festival is held either at Sardar Patel Stadium or the Police Stadium.
Ahmedabad is well-connected with the rest of the country via a network of airways, railways and roadways.
By Air:
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport at Ahmedabad is about 10 Kms north of the city center. Flights of Indian Airlines & other private airlines connect it with all the important cities of India. The city also has an International airport which connects it well to foreign country. Air India operates direct flights to USA and UK from Ahmedabad.
By Rail:
Ahmedabad is on the Western Railway network and is well-connected with a network of rails to the rest of the country. Rajdhani Express connects it tri-weekly to New Delhi.Shatabdi Express and Karnavati Express which runs daily between Ahmedabad and Mumbai keeps both cities well connected.
By Road:
Ahmedabad has a good network of roads with National and State Highways. The State Transport Corporation connects it to all the major cities and towns of Gujarat and other states of the country.
The sky is filled with dazzling colorful kites which came from all around globe. The International Kite Festival is celebrated along the same day when Makar Sakranti or Uttarayan is celebrated i.e. on 14th January. Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited sponsors the festival.
The festival is held either at Sardar Patel Stadium or the Police Stadium.
People eagerly waits for International kite festival, special excitement is seen in youngsters. International Kite Festival attracts kite enthusiasts from all over the world 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 opportunity to meet foreigners.
The Patang Bazaar is the hot spot of the youth during this festival. The sky looks absolutely gorgeous with kites in innumerable tones, designs and shapes of the kites being flown in the air.
During this festive occasion, the markets provide you with distinctive varieties of kites, differing in color, design and style. Thus, there is a multitude of options available for you to choose from.
Religious Beliefs
International Kite Festival also holds religious significance. The festival is held on Makar Sakranti and on that day it is believed that the sun moves into the northern hemisphere, thus emits harmful rays. Elders insist to keep away all things, people visit temples and offer alms to the poor. It is believed that the day marks the awakening of gods who were slumbered from last six months and the gateway of heaven is opened. It is a signal for merry-making.
History
Ever since man has born on the earth he had the keen desire to fly. This longing inspired him to draft his imagination into the invention of kites. Their exhilarating and glorious history is depicted in the Kite Museum of Ahmedabad.
200 BC: Huein Tsang flew a kite at night to scare the army of Liu Pang of Han dynasty in china.
100 BC to 500 AD: Army generals used kites to send signals and also to measure the distance of enemy camps.
930 AD: The word "Shiroshi" was first mentioned in Japanese literature for kite where 'Shi' means paper and 'Roshi' stands for the Chinese bird.
960 to 1126 AD: Flying kites was popular means of recreation in China. People celebrated the 9th day of the ninth month as the day of expulsion of evil, by flying kites.
1542 AD: The word ' Patang' finds its first mention in Indian literature. The word was used by Manzan in 'Madhumalti', where the flight of a kite is associated with the loved one by a poet.
1752 AD: Benjamin Franklin propelled a kite to prove that lightning was the result of same electric material that generated electricity. To demonstrate the production of lighting from the electricity an experiment was conduced in which wooden sticks were affixed to four corners of a square silk handkerchief and a projecting metal wire with sharp edge was attached to it. When an electrified cloud was passed over the kite, lightning was drawn down through the pointed wire.
1870 AD: Box-kites were designed by an Australian Lawrence Hargrave whose invention was an inspiration for others to create power driven aeroplanes.
1896 AD: Alexander Graham Bell designed ' tetra' by combining lightweight sticks. He flew 'Frost King" kite of 256 cells and improvised it to have 1300, and later 3393 cells. At the same time, Samuel Cody carried out experiments with man carrying diplane gliders.
1902 AD: The Wright brothers, were successful in becoming airborne, age of aviation begins.
Making and shopping
The Expert Touch
The festival gives a call to expert kite-makers and flyers from local cities of India and also from around the world.Basically the kite is made from colourful papers and glue but nowadays other materials are also being used. The thread used for flying kites is coated with a mixture of glue and ground glass. They are dried and rolled onto reels known as 'firkees'. They must be used carefully as the strings are sharp enough to cut a finger.
Shopping for Kite
Patang Bazaar of Ahemdabad is a great shopping destination for buying kites. It is open 24 hours a day during the Makar Sankranti week.The huge crowd in this market proves the craze of people about kites and kite flying. A visit to this bazaar clears the obsession of entire population of the city with patangs.
Celebrations
International Kite Flying Festival begins with the break of dawn, people start gathering in open fields. Youngs, olds, children all keep themselves busy in flying kites and continues all through the day without any breaks.
The enthusiasm of the people is noticeable by the shouts of ‘Wo Kata’. Kite flying competition is held among them. The excitement in the environment is seen and the shouts of joy are heard.
The beauty of dark sky is glamorized by series of illuminated box kites known as 'Tukkals'.
Some of the kite flyers display their kite flying skills to win the Fighter Kite Competition whereas others calmly fly the kite showcasing their beautiful kites for the overwhelming viewers. Trophies are awarded to the winners.
A competition of painting the kite with the colors of imagination and cultural programme are also organized. There is musical vibrations in the air and traditional delicacies are especially prepared for this day.
This festival is celebrated to give farewell to winter season and give a warm welcome to the summer season. The city fills with the colours of life during this festive occasion. People forget all their work and just gather in a big ground or terrace of their houses for flying kites.
Regional Celebrations
Local kite flying festivals are held in other cities as well.Regions like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi etc. also celebrate this kite festival with great enthusiasm. The Kite Festival of Rajasthan holds special importance as a number of tourists visit this festival every year to participate and see the state at its colorful best.
Time to celebrate
The International Kite Festival is celebrated along the same day when Makar Sakranti or Uttarayan is celebrated i.e. on 14th January. The festival is held either at Sardar Patel Stadium or the Police Stadium.
How to reach
Ahmedabad is well-connected with the rest of the country via a network of airways, railways and roadways.
By Air:
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport at Ahmedabad is about 10 Kms north of the city center. Flights of Indian Airlines & other private airlines connect it with all the important cities of India. The city also has an International airport which connects it well to foreign country. Air India operates direct flights to USA and UK from Ahmedabad.
By Rail:
Ahmedabad is on the Western Railway network and is well-connected with a network of rails to the rest of the country. Rajdhani Express connects it tri-weekly to New Delhi.Shatabdi Express and Karnavati Express which runs daily between Ahmedabad and Mumbai keeps both cities well connected.
By Road:
Ahmedabad has a good network of roads with National and State Highways. The State Transport Corporation connects it to all the major cities and towns of Gujarat and other states of the country.
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