Kites take to the skies over most Gujarati cities from well before sunrise till far after dark during the Uttarayan festival, which is a phenomenon exclusive to the state. Makar Sankranti, also known as Uttarayan, is a Hindu festival that celebrates the beginning of summer. In Northern India, this celebration is called Makar Sankranti, whereas in Tamil Nadu, it is called Pongal. Almost every business in the state closes on a sunny, warm day when there are strong winds to help fly the kites, and on certain days, people go to roofs and highways to compete with their neighbours. Curious about the Kite Festival 2026? Here’s everything you need to know!
What happens at the Kite festival in Gujarat?
Various-sized kites are flown in an attempt to cut the strings and bring down the kites of other kite flyers in the area. In order to do this, individuals seek out their preferred kite-makers, who craft sturdy, durable kite bodies using springy bamboo frames and kite-paper stretched to the precise tension. Finally, each kite is fastened to a firkin using manja, a unique kite string that is coated with a combination of glue and glass to make it extremely sharp and ideal for severing the strings of competing kites.
In the month of November, Ahmedabad begins to prepare for Uttarayan by producing kites and kite supplies. The old city's Patang Bazaar, a specialised kite market, is the place where this production is most noticeable. Anyone interested in kites can stop by any time in the week before the festival to get supplies. Whole families congregate on the rooftop to enjoy the festivities, while special dishes like laddoos, undhyu, or surati jamun are cooked all day long. Neighbours and friends drop by for some group kite-flying fun.
The history of the Kite festival in Gujarat
Some think that Muslim merchants travelling eastward through Persia brought kites to India, while others say that Buddhist pilgrims travelling from China in search of sacred texts brought them. In any case, they've been around for quite some time in that area. Santnambe, a composer who lived over a thousand years ago, sang about kites, and many classic miniature paintings of local settings feature people flying kites. Being on the very tip of India's westernmost peninsula, Gujarat is one of the places where Hindu and Muslim traditions have mixed extensively. This led to the practice of flying kites during the Hindu festival of Uttarayan, which was likely introduced by Muslims. No one knows for sure when this custom started, though.
Although Uttarayan was initially a Hindu festival, the practice of flying kites in celebration is believed to have originated with Muslims in Persia and has since spread across faiths. Anyone visiting Gujarat in January will, without a sure, join the locals in kite flying, regardless of their origin or beliefs. Guests attend the festival from all over India; many non-Gujaratis take this opportunity to visit family and friends back home; and guests have travelled from far and wide, hailing from nations such as Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, France, China, and countless more.
Details of the Kite Festival in Gujarat 2026
Locations and dates of festivities for Uttarayan 2026 in Gujarat include Rajkot, Surat, and Dholavira on January 10th; Shivrajpur, Kevadiya, and Vadnagar on January 11th, and the rest of the state will celebrate from January 10th to the 14th. Ahmedabad will play host to the magnificent Uttarayan festivities from January 12th to the 14th, with the Sabarmati Riverfront serving as the event's focal point. The celebration atmosphere will spread to Hanol (Palitana, Bhavnagar) on January 13th as well.
Things to do at Kite Festival 2026
- The sky is adorned with a kaleidoscope of colours every year as artists from China, Japan, Indonesia, the United States, and traditional Malaysian wau-balang and layang-layang are displayed alongside enormous American banners, combat kites from Japan, designs from Italy, and dragon kites from China. Local kite manufacturer Rasulbhai Rahimbhai is renowned for his ability to fly up to 500 kites on a single string! The festival has become one of the most anticipated parts of Gujarat's International Kite Festival.
- Witness the mesmerizing Garba Dance and listen to traditional Gujarati music in a magnificent pavilion that highlights the rich history of Gujarat.
- Watch as kite lovers from all over the world, including Japan, Indonesia, and the United States, fly kites in a variety of forms and styles, from the traditional Gujarati Patang (local kite designs) to more imaginative creations like dragons, eagles, and cartoon figures.
- In order to maintain energy levels throughout, there will be a plethora of snack stands conveniently located nearby. Delicious Gujarati dishes like dhokla, till ka laddoo, jalebi, and many more are waiting for you!
- Visit the markets selling handicrafts, where the traditional and handmade treasures of Gujarat are shown by talented artists.