Makar Sankranti Festivities Take Over Hyderabad
Makar Sankranti celebrations began with great enthusiasm in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Homes across the city participated in festive activities, particularly the vibrant tradition of patangbazi—a spirited kite-flying competition. The clear blue sky turned colorful as countless kites soared high, accompanied by the lively sounds of loudspeakers, DJs, and trumpets, creating an atmosphere of joy and festivity.
With six consecutive holidays, people of all ages came out to soak in the festive vibe. Traditional kite markets in the Old City, such as Gulzar Houz, Hussaini Alam, Moosa Bowli, Dhoolpet, Mangalhat, and Begum Bazaar, were bustling with activity. Temporary stalls in areas like Narayanguda, Secunderabad, Ameerpet, and Dilsukhnagar also did brisk business. Throughout the day, rooftops came alive with floodlights and music systems as families and friends gathered for kite-flying competitions. One of the highlights was nighttime kite-flying in Begum Bazaar, which drew large crowds. Participants competed in patangbazi, attempting to cut each other’s kite strings in a game called pench, adding excitement to the celebrations.
Ravi Yadav, a kite enthusiast from Begum Bazaar, shared, “Flying kites at night is a decades-old tradition here. Families gather on rooftops, and it’s unique because the sky is lit up during the night.” Similarly, Mustafa Mohsin from Hussaini Alam expressed, “The festival comes just once a year, and the excitement is in the air. It’s time to celebrate with kites!”
In addition to kite-flying, the Parade Grounds hosted a kite and food festival, attracting large crowds. Necklace Road also saw huge gatherings of people enjoying the festivities. Other public spaces like Domalguda grounds, Quli Qutb Shah Stadium, Goshamahal Grounds, Nizam College Grounds, Agriculture University, and Osmania University grounds were packed with families and friends celebrating together.
Kites featuring popular characters such as Batman and Spiderman, as well as famous actors like Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Mahesh Babu, were in high demand. Kites with images of political leaders like Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy were also popular, with Congress party supporters seen flying kites printed with his image.
Traditional kites, such as the dulhan patang, ek khalam, doh khalam, anda patang, and zebiya, were sold in large numbers in the Old City markets. Younus, a trader from Hussaini Alam, explained, “Kites are named based on their design. For example, a well-decorated kite is called a dulhan patang, and kites with egg-shaped designs on them are called anda patang.”
The city buzzed with energy as Hyderabadis embraced the spirit of Makar Sankranti, making it a memorable celebration for all.
