Maghey Kite Festival at Ghayabari

DARJEELING,: The sky over Ghayabari, around 10 km from Kurseong, came alive with vibrant colours and cultural fervour as the 3rd Maghey Kite Festival was held there on Tuesday.

The festival is organised every year during Maghey Sankranti, with kite flying being an integral part of the traditional celebrations.

“One of the main reasons we have been organising this event every year is to revive the culture of kite flying, which was once one of the most popular outdoor activities. Today, youngsters seem to be missing out on this joy as they remain mostly engaged with mobile phones and video games,” said Gyanendra Rai, president of the Ghayabari Youth Club (GYC).

The one-day festival, held at Guma Dara, was jointly organised by GYC and Trail Begins, an organisation that promotes tourism-related activities in the area, including camping and hiking. 

Apart from a kite fight tournament and a best kite design competition, the festival also featured a comedy night with Mahendra Bagdas and a musical evening with performances by local artists. Camping facilities and outdoor movie screening were also arranged for those wishing to stay overnight. Local food and beverages added to the festive spirit.

“When we first started the kite flying competition, there were only around 12 participants. This year, nearly 30 participants turned up, which we see as a very positive response. The youngest participant was a nine-year-old boy, while people as old as 60 also took part. There was even a participant in a wheelchair,” Rai said.

Prize money along with mementoes was awarded to the winners, with Rs 10,000 announced for the winner of the kite fight competition and Rs 2,000 for the best kite design.

“The organisers provided all necessary materials for the kite fight competition, including the guddi (kite), lattai (bamboo spool) and thread. We also provided space for experts who wished to use their own manja,” Rai added, while acknowledging the support of several other organisations.

According to Rai, the winner of the kite fight competition this year declined to accept the cash prize and requested the organisers to utilise the amount to make next year’s festival grander. The winner, who hails from Kurseong, accepted only the memento.

Explaining the significance of holding the festival during Maghey Sankranti, Rai said, “Only a few elders know the connection between kite flying and Maghey Sankranti. Through this event, we want to keep this culture alive.”

Maghey Sankranti marks the arrival of spring and is also observed as a harvest festival and the beginning of an auspicious phase. Many believe that as the sun begins its upward journey on this day, flying kites symbolises welcoming the sun and bidding farewell to winter. Some also believe that kites carried messages to the sky and the gods.