Jaipur is all set for mega kite festival

12 January, 2013

Jaipur is all set for its colourful Kite Festival celebrations on Makar Sankranti, January14. Over the years it has become a day of tourist attraction. Many foreigners also participate in the festival with their attention-grabbing colourful kites in varied size and shapes.

THE KITE festival of Jaipur is observed on the day of Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan, the day to mark the northward journey of the sun. Various kite-flying competitions are also organised at Chaugan stadium in which Kite Clubs of the city participate.

State government organises the Kite Festival in Jaipur wherein kite lovers from all over the world come and participate. The event is organised by Rajasthan Tourism Department as A spectacular jamboree of kites and kite-flyers from Europe and countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, where kite-flying is a recreational activity. "Beyond all reasons and seasons, Rajasthan Tourism has initiated an array of festivals to elaborate and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the State," says their website.

Certainly, the Jaipur kite festival is unique in its own way with colourful kites hovering over the city as they brighten up the skies. During the night, the kites-with-lights are flown, and add to the fancy of the festival.

For the locals, it is a cultural festival that starts with a holy dip in Galtaji lake, which is an important pilgrimage place in Jaipur. People pray to the sun god to bless them with good health, wealth and bountiful crop.

Makar Sankranti is a government holiday in Jaipur for people to enjoy the pleasure of the festivities and get engrossed in kite flying on this day.