International Kite Festival 2025 kicks off in Ahmedabad ahead of Makar Sankranti

The International Kite Festival 2025 officially begun on January 11 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, with the event inaugurated by Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel. (Photo: ANI)

Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel kicked off the celebrations by flying a tricolor balloon into the sky in Ahmedabad. (Photo: PTI)

The International Kite Festival will continue from January 11 to 14, filling the skies with vibrant kites and spreading joy throughout Gujarat. (Photo: PTI)

The festival is being held at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. It will also take place at the Statue of Unity (Ekta Nagar), Rajkot, and Vadodara on January 12, and in Surat, Shivrajpur, and Dhordo on January 13. (Photo: PTI)

This year, the festival features 143 kite flyers from 47 countries and 52 kite flyers from 11 different Indian states, showcasing a global and local collaboration in the skies. (Photo: PTI)

Ahead of Makar Sankranti, a local shopkeeper in Ahmedabad was spotted selling kites, face masks, and caps, enhancing the festive atmosphere. (Photo: PTI)

Patel said that as the then chief minister of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi modernized the festival by linking it with tourism. He added that PM Modi's vocal for local initiative has gained momentum through tourists participating in the kite festival. (Photo: PTI)

Participants were seen preparing to fly kites at the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. (Photo: AP)

In Surat, students were photographed posing with a large kite, taking part in the Uttraytan festival celebrations. (Photo: PTI)

In Mumbai, a shopkeeper displays kites imported from China, ready for sale as the 'Makar Sankranti' festival approaches. (Photo: PTI)