On arrival of Basant Panchmi the chill of winter season is on its departure. People who where hiding in the blankets and quilt, feel a new energy flowing in themselves. A new zeal of life can be seen coming in various animal, birds, tree and plants. Colorful flowers decorate this earth beautifully. People worship Lord to thank him for sending the spring season which gives relief from the chilling cold weather. Then, everyone express there happiness in variant manner. Flying kites is one of the modes to show the joy.

What is Gujarat International Flying Kites Festival?

On the occasion of Makar Sankrati, every year an international kites festival is celebrated in Gujarat. In this festival, people fond of flying kites, come to participate from different countries in addition to Indians. The enthusiasm and joy for this festival begins many days before Makar Sankranti. On this day, different sizes and colored kites are seen flying in the sky displaying unique movements. Some folk songs of Gujarat mention about the competition of flying kites. Likewise in many regions of India, kite flying competition is organised on the day of Makar Sankranti. A person is known the better player by the number of kites he cut, in this contest. The winner symbol is held by the person who cuts the maximum number of kites.

What is Vasant Panchmi Patang Utsav of Punjab and Haryana?

As like Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana are the two other charming states of India. Here, people belive in celebrating every festival and season with full joy and happiness. Art of living is well known by people living here. Any occasion of happiness is celebrated together. Whatever may be the occasion, arrangement and preparation of songs is always ready. There is no kite flying competion organised at this place, like Gujarat. But, people here celebrate kite festival on Basant Panchami.

The tradition of flying kite is being carried on from long time back, in Punjab. As the Gujarat’s international festival of flying kites, Punjab and Haryana have the sky filled with beautiful and attractive kites. Kites are imported from China, on this occasion. Manjha (sharp thread) is really significant for flying kites. To cut the thread of someones’ kite, Manjha of good quality is required. Manjha is prepared from glass and a sticky substance. This paste is applied on a raw yarn, making it strong and giving sharpness to cutting normal thread of kite.

How is Birth of Ram Singh Kuka related to Basant Panchami?

In Punjab, through kite festival (Patang Utsav) on Basant Panchami, people remember the martyr saint Ram Singh Kuka. He was born on Vasant Panchami. He was a soldier of Ranjeet Singh’s army and later he converted himself to a saint. Listening his thoughts and views, many people became his adherent. He did many works for the improvement of society. Britishers killed his followers and had sent him to Mandalay jail of Burma. Bearing the harsh tortures, he died there.

How is Basant Panchami celebrated in Pakistan?

On Jshne Bahara, that is Basant Panchami, Patang Utsav is celebrated with full joy and excitement. In Lahore of Pakistan, the competition of flying kites is carried on from morning till late night. The story of great Haqiqat Rai, resident of Lahore, is famous behind the celebration of Vasant Panchami. It is said, there lived a man named Haqiqat who used to teach in school. Once the principal of school, Mulla ji, went out. Haqiqat was teaching the students. Children were indulged in other activities instead of listening to him. On this, Haqiqat gave the swear of Goddess Durga. Students started making fun of Durga Mata. He felt bad seeing this behaviour of students. He said, “if i say bad about Bibi Fatima, how will you feel?”

Students complained to Mulla ji on returning that, Haqiqat abused Bibi Fatima. This issue reached to Kazi and Haqiqat was forced to accept Islam. On refusal, Haqiqat was sentenced to death. It is said, as the executioner ran sword on the neck of Haqiqat, head of Haqiqat’s head went to the sky. On Basant Panchami, people of Lahore give a salutation of his head by flying kites in sky.