Indian Kite Festival

‘Makar Sankranti’ is one of the most auspicious occasions for the Hindus and is celebrated in almost all parts of India in a myriad of cultural forms, with great devotion, fervour, and gaiety. Makar Sankranti marks the arrival of spring in India and beginning of the harvesting season. Makar Sankranti is perhaps the only Indian festival whose date falls virtually on the same day every year, 14th January, and rarely on 13 or 15 January.

Makar Sankranti also has an astrological significance, the sun enters the Capricorn (Sanskrit: Makar) zodiac constellation on that day. 

In 2005, Chirag Shah,  VPNZ’s  Treasurer came with the  brilliant idea of celebrating Makar Sankrant in New Zealand as ‘Indian Kite Festival’ to remind New Zealanders of Indian descent  the importance and charm of this festival and to share in a fun loving day out with the families.

VPNZ gladly embraced the idea and organised the first Indian Kite Festival in New Zealand at Michael Savage Memorial Park in Mission Bay in January 2006. About 800 to 100 people attended and everyone enjoyed a day out on the beautiful open green fields overlooking the bay.  Traditional Indian Kites were flown with some entertaining kite fights. Food stalls provided delicious Indian eateries.

Since then, VPNZ has celebrated the Indian Kite Festival every year in Auckland and the Festival has grown in popularity each year. From 2010 the Festival has been held at the Avondale Racecourse Grounds.  In 2013, the festival was celebrated on Saturday 12th January and more than 7500 people of all races and culture and age attended. The Festival caters for face painting, drawing competitions, various community stage dances, fun rides and food stalls. Kites and threads are especially imported from India by VPNZ for sale on the day.

The hard work in planning and executing the Festival requirements by dedicated committee members, with overwhelming support from volunteers and sponsors has made VPNZ’s Indian Kite Festival an unique event for Auckland. This festival also serves as the main fund raiser for VPNZ.

Kite Festival 2014 Raffle draw result