Varanasi’s Unique Take on Kite Festival: Aerial Battles and Cultural Festivities

Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is known for its vibrant culture, spirituality, and ancient traditions. One of the most unique and exciting traditions celebrated in Varanasi is the Kite Festival, also known as Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan.

This festival, which usually falls on January 14th, is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor in many parts of India, but Varanasi’s take on the festival is truly unique, featuring not only kite flying but also aerial battles and cultural festivities.

The Kite Festival is a celebration of the winter solstice, when the sun moves northward and the days start getting longer. It is believed that on this day, the gods awaken from their six-month-long slumber and bless the earth with prosperity and happiness. The festival is also a celebration of the harvest season, as farmers thank the gods for a bountiful harvest and pray for another successful year.

In Varanasi, the Kite Festival is celebrated in a grand style, with thousands of colorful kites filling the skies above the city. People of all ages gather on rooftops and in open fields to fly kites, and the sky is a riot of colors as kites of all shapes and sizes float high above.

But what sets Varanasi’s Kite Festival apart is the aerial battles that take place between kite flyers. This unique tradition is known as ‘patangbazi’ and involves using special strings called ‘manjha’ to cut the strings of other kites in the sky. The manjha is coated with a special mixture of glue and powdered glass, making it razor-sharp and strong enough to cut through other kite strings.

The objective of the game is to cut as many other kites as possible, while keeping your own kite flying. The last kite flying wins the game, and the kite flyers celebrate with great gusto. The game requires skill, precision, and quick reflexes, and is an exciting spectacle to watch.

But the Kite Festival in Varanasi is not just about kite flying and aerial battles. It is also a celebration of the city’s rich cultural heritage, with various cultural events and performances taking place throughout the day. The ghats, or the steps leading down to the Ganges river, are decorated with colorful lights and streamers, and there are music and dance performances by local artists.

Food is also an essential part of the festival, with special delicacies like til ke laddoo, gajak, and khichdi being prepared and shared among friends and family. These traditional dishes are made with ingredients that are believed to be beneficial for health during the winter season, such as sesame seeds, jaggery, and peanuts.

The Kite Festival in Varanasi is not just a celebration of the changing seasons, but also a reflection of the city’s deep-rooted culture and traditions. The festival is an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to come together and experience the vibrancy and diversity of this ancient city.

However, in recent years, the festival has come under criticism for the harm it causes to birds, especially the endangered house sparrows. The manjha used to cut kite strings is known to cause serious injuries to birds, and many bird lovers and activists have called for a ban on the use of sharp manjha. In response to this, many kite flyers have started using eco-friendly and biodegradable manjha, which is less harmful to birds and the environment.

In conclusion, Varanasi’s unique take on the Kite Festival is a spectacle of colors, aerial battles, and cultural festivities. The festival is a celebration of the changing seasons, the harvest season, and the city’s rich cultural heritage. While the festival has faced criticism for

the harm it causes to birds, efforts are being made to make it more eco-friendly and less harmful to the environment. The Kite Festival is an important part of Varanasi’s identity and is a must-see for anyone visiting the city during the winter months.

The Kite Festival is not just a fun and exciting event, but it is also an important cultural tradition that has been passed down through generations. It reflects the unique identity of Varanasi and its people and showcases the city’s deep-rooted cultural heritage.

The aerial battles and cultural festivities of the Kite Festival in Varanasi are truly a sight to behold. The festival is a celebration of the changing seasons, the harvest, and the city’s rich culture and traditions. While the festival faces criticism for the harm it causes to birds, efforts are being made to make it more eco-friendly and less harmful to the environment. Overall, the Kite Festival in Varanasi is a must-see event for anyone visiting the city and is an experience that is sure to stay with you for a lifetime.