Mumbai,
15
January
2019
|
07:37
Europe/Amsterdam

Kite Flying Around the world

76% Indian travellers prefer destinations that will make them relive their childhood: Booking.com Research

Here’s a list of Indian and global destinations to experience kite flying festival

According to Booking.com research study, Indian travellers are increasingly looking at making much more informed decisions as they look to add more purpose to their trips. Around 86% of Indians would consider travelling to be able to engage in and learn more about other cultures, 80% of them like to rediscover past good times whereas 76% of Indian travellers want to travel to places that will make them feel like a kid again.

Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, has curated a list of national and international destinations for those who want to experience the cultural richness of the kite flying tradition and bring out the child in them.

INDIA

In India, kite flying is witnessed during Makar Sankranti, India’s harvest festival, where it started as a salutation to the sun god, but over time, has evolved into a family occasion for revelry. The tradition of kite flying has been followed over generations in the Indian society and seen as an opportunity by the elders to relive their childhood memories.

 

Ahmedabad, India

The International Kite Festival is one of the leading festivals in Gujarat and is celebrated enthusiastically in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Nadiad. Also known as ‘Uttarayan’, kites are flown to symbolize the awakening of the Gods and the open heavenly gates. This seven-day festival sees several master kite makers and flyers across the world demonstrate their unique creations and kite flying prowess. Apart from the usual pataangs, the kite festival is also home to some beautiful and elegant kites from across the globe - Malaysian wau-balang kites, Indonesian llayang-llayanghave kites, the Japanese rokkaku fighting kites or the flying dragons from China which all share space in the sky. People also enjoy the traditional Gujarati dishes such as Undhiyu (Spicy, baked mix vegetables), chikkis and other special delicacies.

When to travel: January

Where to stay: The House of MG is the perfect accommodation for tourists travelling to Ahmedabad who wish to immerse themselves with local culture. This stately heritage property has been tastefully refurbished to retain its old-world charm but with all the amenities and comforts of contemporary living.

Jaipur, Rajasthan

The Pink City gets a variation of hues on 14th January during Uttarayan. Declared a holiday by the Government, the people of the city go on a pilgrimage called Galtaji where they pray to the Sun God. Following which, people gather at their local parks and paint the sky. Kite War and Friendly Kite Flying competitions and people climbing on their roof shouting ‘Wo Katta’ ‘Wo Katwaya’ keep the people busy for hours. City Palace, Jal Mahal ki Pal, The Walled City, Jaipur Polo Ground, Chitrakoot Stadium and House of People are some of the most well-known places to fly kites during Makar Sankranti.

When to travel: January

Where to Stay: Swiss Tents Stay is a luxurious accommodation and has also arranged activities during Makar Sankranti in the past, including kite flying competitions and grand prizes for the winner.

Hyderabad, AP & Telangana

Makar Sankranti is celebrated with immense delight in Hyderabad. Kites here are generally sold in the more traditional markets, near older parts of the city. Some of the best places to buy kites are Gulzar House, Mangalhat-Dhoolpet stretch, Begum Bazaar, and Warasiguda. UDAAN 2.0 is a kite festival organized by the Rotaract Club of Hyderabad, where kids and adults alike, can indulge in kite making and flying, rangoli competitions as well as a lantern festival.

When to travel: January

Where to stay? Burwood Suites is a 9-min walk away from Banjara Hills, another spot for you to not only buy locally handcrafted kites, but also get a taste of the old city. It also has an open terrace where one can experience the joy of kite flying. Each apartment though individually furnished and tastefully decorated providing the luxury of a hotel, but with the warm and cozy touch of a home.

Amritsar, Punjab

Makar Sankranti is also known as Lohri in Punjab, which expresses the community’s gratitude for the upcoming harvest through a huge bonfire at night, with kite flying observed during the day time. ‘Tukkal’, ‘Chhaj’ and ‘Pari’ are some of the unique, locally made kites you can choose to get for the festival. Aside from Amritsar, kite flying competitions are prominent at Ludhiana and Patiala.

When to travel: January

Where to Stay: Just 1.1km away from the Golden Temple and a mere 400m distance from Jallianwala Bagh, GoStops Amritsar (Stops Hostel Amritsar) is the place to go to in Amritsar. An additional benefit is it’s terrace and shared lounge; just the perfect setup to enjoy kite flying for those who are overwhelmed by huge crowds.

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Celebrated as ‘Kicheri’ in Uttar Pradesh, the festival begins with ritual bathing, followed by a sweet indulgence in til (Sesame) laddoos and then filling the atmosphere with kites. However, kite flying is more than just a fun activity in Lucknow. Some people place bets on kites that soar in their vicinity, to see which ones will get cut first. It is a business for those flying the kite as well as those betting.

When to travel: January

Where to Stay: FabHotel Tranquil is 2.1 kms from Ambedkar Park, where a majority of the localites go to fly their kites. Gomti Nagar is also a great choice for travellers interested in culture, food and shopping.

AROUND THE WORLD

In many countries kite-flying is not just a hobby but also has historical significance attached to it. As a tourist, joining in the revelry can be a great way to get an authentic cultural experience, plus kite-flying is just great feel-like-a-kid-again fun.

 

Weifang, China

Weifang is also known as the ‘World Kite Capital’ and is home to the largest kite museum in the world. This kite festival is held in the month of April, and is one of the biggest kite festivals in the world. The city is decked up with beautiful lanterns and streamers. Don't miss the grand ceremony that takes place before the festival begins. The ceremony is infused with exhilarating performances by acrobats, drummers, as well as singers, building up to the main event where one lucky kite enthusiast is crowned ‘Kite King’

When to travel: April

Where to stay: Located just 1.7km from the Weifang Kite Museum Weifang Taihua features accommodation with a garden and a terrace that is ideal for witnessing kite flying. With spacious rooms the accommodation can easily house 5 people. Additionally, the Weifang Jinbao Amusement Park is just 10 km from the location.

Washington DC, USA

The ‘Blossom Kite Festival’, is held in the resort city of Long Beach in the month of April. It is held to honor the friendship between USA and Japan during the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrations.

When to travel: April

Where to stay: Conveniently located just a short walk from George Washington University and the Foggy Bottom Metro Station, One Washington Circle has easy access to all of the sights and attractions of Washington DC. With a prime location in the heart of Northwest D.C., a short walk takes you to everything the city has to offer.

Hamamatsu, Japan

The Hamamatsu Giant Kite Festival started in the 16th Century when large kites were flown in celebration of the birth of a baby son to the Lord of Hamamatsu Castle. Today this festival is celebrated on May 3 where more than a 100 kites fly the sky by a trumpet call. These large kites have baby boy names and marks or designs of each town written on them. Participants in each town try their luck to fight and intertwine the 5mm thick kite strings and cut their opponents’ strings by friction. People believe that the higher the kites fly, the healthier the baby boys grow up. This kite festival is held for three days and is celebrated in the daytime.

When to travel: May

Where to stay: Hotel Villa Kuretake This cozy, modern hotel is 2 km from Hamamatsu Castle and Hamamatsu Science Museum. Situated in Hamamatsu, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Kamoe-ji Temple, Statue of Tokugawa Ieyasu and Kamono Mabuchi Memorial Hall and an ideal location to witness Hamamatsu Kite Festival.

Bali, Indonesia

The Bali Kite Festival started as a prayer to the gods for a good harvest. This festival happens every July at the Sanur beach, and has now become a fun competition with hundreds of teams from Indonesia and around the world competing in this huge kite festival. The sky resembles a mosaic with kites of different colours and shapes. But the most common ones are the traditional Balinese symbolic kites created with motifs of fish (Bebean) and birds (Janggan) that ascend into the heavens to grab the attention of the Hindu deities.

When to travel: July

Where to stay: If you would like to enjoy kite-flying, interacting with the locals as well as the sun and sea, then make your way to The Village Home in Padang galak. Padang Galak is a coastal region north of the tourist town of Denpasar, Bali. Once the dates are set, locals gather to compete with foreigners in kite flying. If you head down to the beach to watch or take part, you will see a sky filled with kites of all shapes, sizes and colours soaring above the crowded beaches.

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