The Tourism and Culture Department is preparing to host the International Kites and Hot Air Balloons Festival in Hyderabad, bringing together kite enthusiasts from across the globe. The three-day event is scheduled to coincide with the Sankranti festival, celebrating the traditional harvest season with colorful displays in the sky.
The festival will take place at Parade Ground in Secunderabad from January 13th to 15th. The venue will welcome more than 50 international kite flyers representing countries from multiple continents.
Participants will arrive from Indonesia, Switzerland, Australia, Sri Lanka, Canada, Cambodia, Scotland, Thailand, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Italy, Taiwan, South Africa, and the Netherlands. Their diverse kite-flying techniques and designs promise to create a spectacular visual experience for visitors.
The event will also showcase domestic talent, with over 60 members from various kite clubs and expert kite flyers from Telangana participating. Representatives from Gujarat, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh will join the festivities, bringing regional kite-flying traditions to the celebration.
In addition to the kite displays at Parade Ground, a hot air balloon exhibition will be held in the Gandipet area on the outskirts of Hyderabad. This parallel attraction aims to add another dimension to the aerial spectacle.
Valluri Kranthi, Managing Director of the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation, confirmed the arrangements for the hot air balloon display. The event is designed to attract both local residents and tourists to witness the colorful balloons floating above the city’s landscape.
Beyond the aerial displays, the festival will feature stalls showcasing national and international handicrafts. Visitors can explore traditional crafts from different regions and countries, providing a cultural experience beyond the main kite-flying activities.
Food enthusiasts will find an array of special dishes and sweets available at the venue. The culinary offerings will include traditional Sankranti delicacies alongside other regional and international cuisine options.
The festival represents a significant cultural event for Hyderabad, combining traditional Sankranti celebrations with international participation. The three-day gathering aims to promote tourism while preserving and showcasing the art of kite flying across different cultures.
