Makar Sakranti is a Hindu festival that is observed to mark the end of the chilly months of winter. When the glorious Sun starts its journey to the Northern Hemisphere, celebration of Makar Sankranti starts. It’s time to begin a new life with bright light within us to shine brighter and brighter.
This is the season when the skies are clear and the breeze seems pleasant making everyone in a jubilant mood. On the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankrati, bathing in Haridwar, Kashi and other spiritual sites have a great significance, and the joy of season is celebrated by flying colorful kites in the sky.
Since many years, the cities- Jodhpur and Jaipur in Rajasthan have been hosting Kite Festival on Makar Sankranti with great fervor. The main attribute of the festival is the show of ‘diversity’ in all aspects. Kites all shapes and sizes are seen in the sky and the main competition is to cut the strings of nearby kite flyers and bring it down. For this purpose people intend to make their strings and sharp as possible, to give a tough fight to its opponent flyer. The special kite strings are coated with the mixture of glass and glue called as ‘manjha’.
Bright and colourful kites in striking shapes and unusual designs, some never seen before, would dot the sunny sky of Rajasthan on 14 January, 2014. Jaipur host International Kite Festival from January 14 to 16, 2014 at the Jal Mahal ground.
image courtesy: Gaurav Hajela Photography
Kites made of leaves, paper, plastics, shiny material cover the sky on this day. All members of family gather on the roof top to enjoy the festival. Women sing traditional songs. They also prepare special food like til laddoos, Moongfali, gazak, dal pakodi and Gajar Ka Halwa. Over the course of the day relatives and friends visit each other to exchange greetings.
Til ke Ladoo, Moongfalli and gajak
Enjoy the rejoicing festival of Makar Sankranti!!
Rajasthan For You 