The International Kite Festival in Gujarat is one of the most awaited, vibrant and widely celebrated festivals in India. This year, the 8-day festival will kick off on January 7 and big, beautiful and unique kites will cover the skyline of Ahmedabad. The festival, popularly known as Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti, is a gorgeous, vibrant, and striking festival of Gujarat, recognised globally for its uniqueness. The International Kite Event takes place in Ahmedabad (Kite capital of Gujarat) which accommodates visitors from many international destinations.

On this day, this flying of the kites celebrates the retreat of the winter season. The festival is being celebrated with great enthusiasm and gaiety in the month of January since 1989. The festival draws crowd from all over the world.  The International Kite Festival is believed to be the biggest festivals celebrated in the country. The preparations for the kite festival including the manufacture kites for the festival, begin months before the festival.

In 2019, the 30th International Kite festival was celebrated in which 151 international kite-fliers took part in the Kite Festival. During the festival, kites of all shapes and sizes are flown. Kites are being sold on the streets of Ahmedabad beginning in November, to get ready for Uttarayan, which falls in January. Take a Look at the Scintillating International Kite Festival 2019.

International Kite Festival in Gujarat 2020 Date:

The International Kite Festival is a delight for kite lovers. In 2020, the festival in Gujarat, also known as Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti, will be celebrated from January 7 to January 14.   Uttarayan is celebrated every year on 14th January, known as Makar Sankranti in other parts of north India, and Pongal in Tamil Nadu, and continues on the 15th. The festival is celebrated across Gujarat, with the International Kite Festival is held in Ahmedabad. The major centers of kite-flying in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, among others.

International Kite Festival 2020 in Gujarat Significance:

As per the Hindu calendar, the festival is celebrated when winter begins turning to summer. This day is considered to be one of the most important harvest day in India. Uttarayan is such a huge celebration that it has become a public holiday in India for two days.  During the festival, food such as Undhiyu (a mixed vegetable including yam and beans), sesame seed brittle and Jalebi is served to the crowds.

International Kite Festival 2020 Schedule 

The International Kite Festival 2020 will be held from January 7 to January 14. The festival brings master kite makers and flyers from all over the world to demonstrate their unique creations and wow the crowds with highly unusual kites. Check Full Schedule Here.

Uttarayan marks the end of winter and the return of a more clement weather for farmers of the Gujarat region. January 15 is known as ' Vasi Uttarayan '. The festival is an important one as its mention is also in the Rigveda which dates more than 5000 years. The day marks the beginning of the auspicious six-month period known as Uttarayana. In major cities of Gujarat, kite flying starts as early as 5 am and goes until late night where approximately 8-10 million people participate in the whole festival.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 02, 2020 03:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).