Basant Kite Flying!

Basant is the festival celebrating the beginning of spring, and is observed in a very unique way in parts of north India and Pakistan – kite flying!   For nearly a month in mid-January and February, the skies are awash in the colors of thousands of brightly colored paper kites.   Kite fliers hold competitions to see whose kite can remain in the air the longest.   Competitors joust and jockey for position in the air, attempting to cut down each other’s kites with the sharp strings of their own kites.   Prizes are also awarded for design, flying ability, and beauty.