Jaipur is the land of fairs and festivals. Always dipped in the colours of festival, this place enchants anyone who experiences the glory of fests. Festival of every religion is celebrated with same zeal and gusto.A prominent one out of the festivals of Rajasthan is the Kite Festival. Certainly, it’s a festival that is unique in its own way. The colourful kites hovering over whole of Rajasthan brighten up the skies. This festival is largely celebrated in Jaipur and Jodhpur. The kites-with-lights flown add to the fancy of the festival. If you like kite flying, this is the festival for you. How about visiting Jaipur during this festival? Know more about this festival before you catch up with the delight of this festival in Jaipur.
The people of Jaipur, on this day take a holy dip in Galtaji, an important pilgrimage in Jaipur. They pray to sun god to bless them with good health, wealth and good crop. On this occasion, the pink city turns all colourful with the beautiful kites in the sky. Makar Sankranti is a government holiday in Jaipur, and it undoubtedly increases the pleasure of the festivities. Shopkeepers keep their shops shut, banks remain closed and everybody gets engrossed in kite flying on this day. Various kite flying competitions are also organised by numerous Kite Clubs in the month of January. State government even organises “International Kite Festival” in Jaipur for a stretch of three days wherein kite lovers from all over the world come and participate.
The kite festival wasn’t the most exciting festival that we have been to in India, but it was a great day to walk through town and to feel the energy and excitement of the people. People gathered on their rooftops, in the streets and on their balconies. People were every where.
The International Kite Festival, Jaipur is one of the most- attended festivals in Rajasthan. The most colorful festival of Rajasthan provides unlimited fun and frolic. This festival is celebrated on 14th of January every year, the day of Makar Sankranti. The popularity of the International Kite Festival in Jaipur is such that it attracts kite fliers from far off corners of the country. The thrill and excitement lingers in the air and everyone is enchanted. Join the joyous mood of Jaipur and celebrate the pleasure of flying kites.
If we talk about art and culture involved in this kite festival, then it has to be the making of kite. Many people may not be aware of the fact that the kites in Jaipur are made by the hard-working craftsmen of Rajasthan along with the thread which is tied on the kite to let it fly in air. The kites and thread under this festival are made of many styles and colors demonstrating the colorful signification of this festival. Jaipur kite festival shares the royal and elegant dignity of traditions of Rajasthan in each and every street and road of the Jaipur city. One can notice the small children on the streets with their eye smudged in air and waiting for a moment when a kite flies down on earth.
Kites made of leaves, paper, plastics, shiny material cover the sky on this day. All members of family gather on the roof top to enjoy the festival. Women sing traditional songs. They also prepare special food like til laddoos, Moongfali, gazak, dal pakodi and Gajar Ka Halwa. Over the course of the day relatives and friends visit each other to exchange greetings.
Pictures taken at Raja Uday Singh Haveli , Choti Chauper ,Jaipur
