MAKAR SANKRANTI: CELEBRATION ON ROOFTOPS

Multifaceted Rajasthan is known for its colorful people and their passion for kite flying, a cultural sport and cherished pastime of the region.

- CHANDAN SEN

During the winter season, the state comes alive with “kite fever,” a festival of fun, frolic, and exuberance. Jaipur, in particular, becomes the epicenter of this celebration, marking the onset of the festive season and sustaining winter leisure. The skies are dotted with kites of all shapes, sizes, and colors, from standard rectangular patterns to elaborate designs, soaring higher and higher as enthusiasts compete for supremacy. Bundi-Kota in Hadoti and Pushkar are other places where kite flying reaches its peak during Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan, attracting locals and tourists alike. After the dullness of the pandemic year, the festival returns as a rejuvenating and multifaceted celebration.

Kite flying in Rajasthan has deep historical roots, largely due to the patronage of royal families who viewed the sport as both entertainment and a display of skill. Today, the tradition continues with equal enthusiasm, attracting experts, novices, children, and even tourists from across the world. The festival transforms Jaipur and other towns into vibrant arenas of excitement, with the skies crowded with multicolored kites. Special types of kites, including the “Barelllyka Manjha” and “Charkhis,” are in high demand, and typical kites bear names such as Gola, Sawa Ka Teen, Chheka Das, Mazhola, Addha, Pauna, Dhagas, and Leppos, each navigating the blue skies with precision. The passion continues throughout the week, gradually fading by the following Sunday.