DAYS OF THE YEAR
They’re pretty, they’re colorful, and they flutter and float in the
air….what could they be? Kites, of course! Who could imagine a better
way to spend time than with flocks of other people, every person with
his or her own beautifully decorated kite? If you’re a fan of such
happy, vibrant holidays, International Kite Day is not a holiday you’d
like to miss.
- The History of International Kite Day
International
Kite Day originated in India, in the state of Gujarat, which is famous
for the amount of festivals taking place there every year. The
inhabitants of Gujarat begin manufacturing the kites months in advance
so they can be sure to have enough, as millions of people visit Gujarat
during it. The kite festival, called Uttarayan in Hindi, celebrates the
day that winter ends and summer begins, as well as the upcoming harvest
season, and the kites symbolize the spirits of the gods that are awaking
from their deep winter sleep. Originally, kite-flying was a sport
practiced by royalty and the very wealthy, but in the recent years it
has become a festival for all that people come from all over the country
and even the world to take part in, especially people from Japan,
Italy, the UK, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, the USA, Malaysia,
Singapore, France, and China.
- How to Celebrate International Kite Day
If
you are a person who enjoys travelling and has the opportunity to be in
Gujarat for the actual festival on January 14th, actually participating
in would be the best way to celebrate International Kite Day. It is
guaranteed to be an absolutely incredible experience you will remember
for the rest of your life, what with the thousands, or even millions of
colorful kites that will be floating above the area, the enormous
amounts of delicious, traditional Indian dishes available at all hours
of the day and night, and the amount of new people you could meet and
friends you could make. Aside from the numerous food stalls and of
course the kites, there are also many performers putting on acrobatic
shows, so not a moment goes by that something exciting doesn’t happen.
The celebration starts at 5 a.m. and goes on all day and all evening,
until late at night, when illuminated kites filled with lights and
candles known as
tukkals are launched, creating an unforgettable spectacle in the dark sky.
If
you aren’t able to be in Gujarat for International Kite Day, however,
that does not mean you cannot enjoy it in your own way. A great way to
do this would be to simply purchase a kite and take it to a nearby park
to fly it. There is something about a breezy day spent with a kite in
hand that is incredibly relaxing, so you will be able to enjoy your day
anyway. In fact, if you have a child/children, perhaps this would be a
great day to spend some quality time together? All too often these days
parents and children rarely even speak to each other anymore, so
preoccupied are both sides with their technological gadgets. A small
picnic and an afternoon spent outdoors may well be just what you and you
son or daughter need to have a talk and laugh together and feel close
to each other.
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