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The International Kite festival of Uttarayan is one of the reasons why Gujarat has become immensely popular as a tourist destination among travelers all over the world. It is not only crucial for Gujarat but significant for India as well. The entire area receives a surge of tourism and kites are sold in copious quantities to cater the flyers countrywide.
The festival makes the surroundings colorful and creates a pleasant ambiance as well. The sky is filled with mesmerizing kites that transform the landscape of the state. If you visit Gujarat during the International Kite Festival, you will witness spectacular kite-flying competitions that take place during the festival. If you would like more information on this fantastic celebration, this blog is perfect for you. Here is an overview of all the essential details regarding the festival.
If you are an Indian, you could be familiar with kite flying and its role in the lives of the people. Several festivals in India revolve around kite flying as an activity. So, it is quite natural that kite flying has now become a significant sport. Even before the festival commenced, people have flown kites competitively from their rooftops or the playgrounds of their neighborhoods. These casual games have now turned into a massive festival, also known as International Kite Day. The festival is not only for people who are experts at flying kites, but it is also for those who have been crafting gorgeous kites since time immemorial. In the initial stages, the Tourism Department of Gujarat sent invitations to renowned experts in the field of kite flying or kite making to take part in the competition. Soon, the news spread across the globe. People all around the world arrived to participate in the contest or the festival. Many kite-flyers collaborate with other kite-enthusiasts from other parts of the world to take part in the competitions held during the festival.
The 2020 International Kite Festival will take place from January 6 to January 14. The dates of the festival are important since Makar Sankranti will also commence on January 6- also known to be the end of winter. This is one of the reasons why the festival takes place during the beginning of January and is especially auspicious for people of the Hindu community.
Though the festival is held all across Gujarat, the main competitions happen in Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad has been the venue of the International Kite Festival finale for several years – and this is why the place is called the “kite capital of India.” Most people prefer to take in the magnificent spectacle of the kite-filled skies from the banks of the river Sabarmati. The area can accommodate more than 5 lakh visitors at the same time and is convenient in terms of the location as well. Others also frequent the famous Ahmedabad Police Stadium, where people can view these beautiful kites by laying back and relaxing.
International Kite Day is not only exciting for kite-enthusiasts around the world, but it is also popular among spectators as well. It’s not just the sight of colorful kites, but also the opportunity to view magnificent kites from different parts of the world. Some of the gorgeous kites on display include banner kites by the USA, Japanese Wau-Balang kites, sculptural kites by Italy, Chinese Flying Dragon kites, and other categories of magnificent kites.
Apart from kites, one can also meet several interesting people from over 45 countries for 4 days. At the 2020 International Kite Festival, tourists can relish the traditional delicacies of Gujarat available in the numerous food stalls at the festival. You could buy colorful kites from the Patang bazar in Ahmedabad to participate in the competitions. You could also sit back and relax as a spectator while enjoying the festival and the sight of beautiful kites in the sky.
Gujarat is an excellent state with several attractions. If you are attending the International Kite Festival this January, you can also choose to visit other tourist spots in Gujarat as well. With great weather and clear skies, it’s the best time of the year for exploration.
Kutch is one of the most famous tourist spots in not only Gujarat but acrossIndia as well. The area is known for the enormous production of salts and is visually scintillating. The entire area is white due to the presence of salts and looks like the moon quite figuratively. The Kutch Festival also takes place every year at the same time as International Kite Day. Usually, the festival starts in December and concludes by the end of February. Tourists can stay in fantastic camps where the festival often happens. You can also buy beautiful items made by the locals. Tourists need to travel via Bhuj to get to Kutch. Several means of transport such as buses, autos, and taxis will take you from there to Kutch.
Gir National Park is commonly known as the home to the last surviving Asiatic lions. According to the census taken in 2010, there are approximately 2375 lions present in the park. The area consists of 2375 different categories of wildlife. If you are a nature enthusiast, a visit to Gir is a must! While the Asiatic lions are the central attraction, you will also get to see 37 different species of reptiles and more than 300 kinds of birds.
Somnath temple is one of the most ancient and famous temples in India. It is home to Lord Shiva and is renowned for the twelve Jyotirlingas that are present there. It’s a great place to visit for those who are spiritually or religiously inclined. Many people also visit the Somnath museum to get authentic historical details about the area. The spirit of the 2020 International Kite Festival is present in the area surrounding Somnath temple as well. Though not organized on a grand scale, the locals participate in the competitions from the rooftops of their houses quite frequently.
Saputara is a place in Gujarat surrounded by the grandeur of the Sahyadri mountains of the Western Ghats. The area is not only beautiful, but it is far away from the hustle and bustle of the International Kite festival. If you are craving a few days of peace, you will have a great time in Saputara. The hill station is located at an altitude of 875 m and offers a variety of adventure activities for tourists. Though the hill station is in Gujarat, it can easily be reached via trains or roads at a distance of 250 km from Mumbai. You can explore several trekking trails in the area and interact with the tribes who call this place home.
Gandhinagar is located 12 km from Ahmedabad and home to the grand Akshardham temple of Gujarat. Gandhinagar is also one of the main venues of the International Kite Festival. It has several famous tourist spots, including Brahmani temple and Hanumanji temple. While visiting, do not forget to taste delectable Gujarati dishes such as Dhokla, Khakra, Bajra, and many more. Visit Gandhi Ashram for an experiential journey into India’s freedom struggle and the life of Mahatma Gandhi.
The 2020 International Kite Festival has already gathered immense popularity. Several competitors for kite-flying contests have enrolled their names months before! Book hotel tickets in advance if you are planning a trip to Gujarat to experience the magic of the International Kite Festival. Rooms get booked out during this time and ticket prices become significantly higher.
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April 15, 2024 
