International Kite Festival in Gujarat – Uttarayan

The International Kite Festival, also known as Uttarayan, is an annual two day kite-flying festival held each January in the Indian state of Gujarat to mark the transition of the sun into the Zodiac Capricornus, associated with the Hindu festival of Makara Sankranti. The event marks the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season. In preparation, many households begin making or purchasing kites several months in advance.

The festival is celebrated throughout Gujarat and in parts of other Indian states. In Gujarat, it is observed as a two-day public holiday. The second day of the celebration is known as Vasi Uttarayan or "Stale" Uttarayan. Traditional foods commonly prepared during the festival include undhiyu, a mixed vegetable dish; chikki, a brittle made from sesame seeds or peanuts and jaggery; and jalebi, a deep-fried sweet. Markets typically see increased activity in the days leading up to the event as people purchase kites, string, and related supplies.

The Government of Gujarat promotes the festival as an international cultural event, inviting kite flyers from around the world to participate. In 2012, the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat mentioned that the International Kite Festival in Gujarat was attempting to be recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records due to the participation of members from 42 countires that year.