• By Travelspoc

International Kite Festival Gujarat 2024

The international kite festival 2024 will be held from January 8 to 14. This year’s international kite festival will be held at the Sabarmati riverfront near Vallabh Sadan and will see the participation of 126 kitists from 53  countries, 65 kitists from other states, and 660 kitists from other states, and 660 kitists from different parts of the state. 

The exceptionally vibrant and a cauldron of numerous cultures and subcultures, the state of Gujarat gets soaked in a whole new burst of hues during the International Kite Festival every year when the place erupts in a unique enthusiasm. Every shop, office, and other normal activity is completely shut down as the locals take to rooftops, roads and open spaces to celebrate Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti to fly kites and fiercely compete with their neighbors. Children who would make so many excuses to go to school every day would be found wide awake and soaring their kites high into the sky early in the morning on this day. Such is the atmosphere of Uttarayan in Gujarat.

The festival of Uttarayan is one of the most important occasions for Indians. This day marks the change of the winter season into summer and signifies the harvesting season for the farmers. Hence, Uttarayan is one of the most eagerly awaited festivals and is celebrated with much fervor and enthusiasm within the Gujarat community. At the same time, many visitors from across the world come especially during this time to witness and participate in the rabid festivities.

Since 1989, the city of Ahmedabad has hosted the International Kite Festival as part of the official celebration of Uttarayan, bringing master kite makers and flyers from all over the world to demonstrate their unique creations and wow the crowds with highly unusual kites. In past years, master kite makers from Malaysia have brought their wau-balang kites, llayang-llayanghave come from Indonesia, kite innovators from the USA have arrived with giant banner kites, and Japanese rokkaku fighting kites have shared the skies with Italian sculptural kites, Chinese flying dragons, and the latest high-tech.