Basant Kite Festival 2026

Full Date

5 February 2026 Morning 9:00 AM – 6 February 2026 Evening 6:30 PM

Muhurat Timings in India

• Basant Kite Flying Day 1

  Opening of the kite festival with morning prayers, music, and friendly kite flying matches.

  5 February 2026 9:00 AM – 5 February 2026 6:00 PM

• Basant Celebration Day 2

  Grand finale with music performances, kite battles, and prize ceremonies under illuminated evening skies.

  6 February 2026 10:00 AM – 6 February 2026 7:00 PM

Introduction

The Basant Kite Festival is a dazzling spring celebration marking the seasonal transition from winter to spring. The festival’s highlight is kite flying, where the skies fill with vibrant colors symbolizing freedom, joy, and renewal of life. It is popularly celebrated in Punjab regions of both India and Pakistan, especially around Basant Panchami.

Other Names

Basant Utsav, Vasant Kite Festival, Spring Kite Celebration

Pooja Vidhi

• Begin the day with Surya Arghya or Saraswati Puja depending on local custom.
• Wear yellow clothes, decorate home entrances with yellow flowers.
• Prepare saffron rice or sweetened yellow dishes associated with Basant.
• Fly kites facing the east direction as the sun rises.
• Conclude with community feasting and music in the evening.

Rituals

• People wear yellow clothing signifying prosperity and sunlight.
• Fly colorful kites from rooftops greeting the arrival of spring.
• Offer prayers to Goddess Saraswati or Surya Dev depending on region.
• Communities organize competitions with traditional dhol music and dance.
• Sweets like gajak, rewari, and saffron rice are shared among families.

Regional Highlights

• In Amritsar, Patiala, and Ludhiana, vibrant kite battles fill the sky during Basant.
• In Lahore, Pakistan, the historic Walled City hosts large-scale regulated kite flying events.
• In Rajasthan, people wear jasmine garlands and enjoy open-air dances celebrating spring.
• At Delhi’s Nizamuddin Dargah, the Sufi Basant tradition continues with yellow offerings and qawwali.

History

The Basant Kite Festival traces its roots to the ancient Basant Panchami celebration honoring Goddess Saraswati. In medieval Punjab, rulers and poets encouraged kite flying as a royal sport to mark the changing seasons. Lahore later popularized the event as 'Basant', blending Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim cultural elements into one vibrant spring carnival.

Additional Information

• Basant Kite Festival originates from the ancient celebration of Basant Panchami.
• Kite flying represents energy, hope, and the abolishment of darkness.
• The festival promotes unity beyond borders and bridges India-Pakistan cultural ties.