Originally, kite flying was a pastime reserved for royalty and the wealthy, but in recent years, it has evolved into a festival open to all, with participants hailing from Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, Indonesia, Singapore, the United States, Malaysia, Australia, France, and Brazil. International Kite Day originated in India, where it is most popularly observed in the city of Ahmedabad in the northern state of Gujarat. In Hindi, the festival is known as Uttarayan, while in other regions of India, it is known as Makar Sankranti. It commemorates the transition from winter to summer, as well as the forthcoming winter crop harvest. People go from all over the world to participate in the festivities. The kites linked with the celebration represent the gods’ spirits waking from their winter slumber.
Simple kites made of lightweight colorful paper with bamboo frames are the most frequent. Aside from traditional kites, several feature Bollywood celebrities or social themes. Kite lines are frequently coated with a mixture of rice and crushed glass to aid in “kite fighting.” This is a game where kite fliers try to cut one another’s strings and knock down their kites during the festival. During the day, acrobats perform, while at night, illuminated kites known as ‘tukkals’ fill the skies. The night sky is also lit up by fireworks. Although this is an Indian festival, Hindu temples in the United States frequently celebrate it, and because it is an inclusive celebration; anybody can participate.
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