Hyderabad to Host International Kites and Sweets Festival in January
The State government is preparing for the seventh edition of the International Kites and Sweets Festival, scheduled to take place in January. Officials from the Tourism Department have already sent out invitations to participants from across the world.
The three-day festival is held annually at the Secunderabad Parade Grounds, from January 13 to 15. It has become a crowd favorite, with thousands of visitors attending each year to enjoy the vibrant celebrations. The festival is particularly popular during Sankranti, a time when Hyderabad residents traditionally fly kites.
One of the main attractions of the festival is the display of a wide variety of kites, including giant and uniquely designed ones. People of all ages participate, making it a lively and inclusive event. To enhance the experience, officials have invited professional kite flyers from countries like Australia, Sri Lanka, Canada, Cambodia, Scotland, Thailand, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Italy, as well as from across India.
The International Kites and Sweets Festival was first launched in 2018. In its inaugural year, it drew over eight lakh visitors. However, due to the Covid pandemic, the festival had to be canceled from 2020 to 2023. This year marks its grand return, and officials are expecting an enthusiastic response, with over 50 international kite flyers likely to participate.
In addition to kite flying, visitors will enjoy cultural programs and a food court featuring over 400 varieties of homemade sweets and traditional Telangana cuisine. Night flying of kites, a major highlight in previous years, is also expected to be part of this year’s event. The festival receives financial support of Rs 50 lakh from the central government, and organizers are optimistic about its success.
