Page 51 - 31JAN2020E4
P. 51
PhotoFeature
The kite-flying event, which concluded
on January 14, remains one of the biggest
and most colourful festivals celebrated in
Gujarat, writes tehelka bureau
The shouts of Kai po che (I have cut) were
loud and clear as Ahmedabad’s skyline was cov-
ered with diverse kites that differed in sizes, shapes,
designs, and colours during a week-long festival.
The famous International Kite Festival of 2020
which was held between January 7 and January 14,
days before Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti — is an
annual event where almost everyone in Gujarat, from
children to adults, takes to the rooftops to fly kites.
People from every age group and all walks of life take
part in the extravaganza amid loud music.
Traditional sweets like gazak are prepared and
distributed during festival that marks the arrival of
spring. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different ways
across the country. In some areas, people exchange
sweets and greetings, while others take holy dip in the
river. In Ahmedabad, the event supported by Gujarat
Tourism and hosted since 1989 — witnesses a steep
• Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani
51

