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Fairs and Festivals :: Kite Festival, Jaipur
Kite Festival, Jaipur

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14 January is celebrated in India as Makar Sankranti - heralding the
transition of the sun into the Northern hemisphere. It is also a big
kite day in most parts of India when children from 6 to 60 can be
seen with their heads turned to the sky. In Jaipur kites virtually
blot out the sky. Everyone joins in this riotous celebration and shouts
of " Woh Kata Hai !" reverberate from rooftops to the accompaniment
of drums as adversaries kites are cut down. And everyones
an adversary! Any kite in the sky is fair game.
Activities
The three-day festival starts with an inauguration at the Polo Ground,
which is the venue for some serious kite flying and fighting for the
three days of the festival. The festival includes two kinds of celebrations.
A massive extravaganza follows, with Air Force helicopters releasing
kites from the sky, and hundreds of schoolchildren releasing balloons.
Kites that look like wasps, exquisite stained glass windows, graceful
mythical birds soar in the sky and the sky shimmers with magic.
Fighting kites beautifully choreographed by the wind look like poetry
in the skies, written by kite flyers from many nations. The three
days of the festival are divided into two sections. One is the Fighter
Kite Competition and the other is the more sober Display Flying and
there are prestigious trophies to be won in both categories. Every
evening participants are provided with dinner at an exotic location.
On the final day the venue of the festival shifts to the exquisite
lawns of the Umaid Bhawan Palace, the royal residence of the Maharaja
of Jodhpur. The finals of the Fighter Kite Competition and the final
judging of the Display Kites are followed by the prize distribution
ceremony, the valedictory function, and a farewell dinner with the
Maharaja. As the festival draws to an end, traditional Indian kite
craftsmen prepare to return to their humdrum lives, selling handcrafted
aerial art for mere pennies.
History
Started just few years ago, this festival has got no mythological
connections or legends attached to it. Currently, this sport is witnessing
a major revival globally and India, with its ancient tradition of
kite flying, could benefit from becoming a part of the international
kite flying community.
Places to see
Jaipur is famous for Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar
and many more.
Getting there
By Air
Indian airlines, Jet airways and Sahara airlines have regular service
to Jaipur. All the major cities are connected to Jaipur.
By Road
Rajasthan Roadways have regular bus services from New Delhi, running
deluxe and air conditioned coaches from Bikaner house, Delhi. Jaipur
is also well connected with the other cities of Rajasthan.
With good road conditions you can also travel by private car/taxi.
By Train
Shatabdi and Intercity connects Jaipur to Delhi. Shatabdi is fully
air conditioned train starts from Delhi (5.55 AM) to Jaipur (10.35
AM), you can also try Intercity Exp starts from Delhi at (4.55 PM)
reaches Jaipur (10.35 PM). There are other trains also to Jaipur from
other metro cities, to know more click here.
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