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Soar Over Lahore During the Basant Kite Flying Festival

Published by Mona Rae, Writer

Country: Pakistan

The Experience

Basant Mela is the kite flying festival of Pakistan, celebrated mainly in Lahore—the historic capital of Pakistan. The Basant Kite Festival in Lahore is celebrated in spring, and heralds the beginning of the season. Along with the kites there is also great food, folk art, dancing and music. When you first visit Pakistan’s capital city during the Basant Kite Festival, you will see that the streets are filled with enthusiastic people flying kites everywhere. They fly them on the terrace, on top of roofs, and even standing on vehicles. The sky is dotted with thousands of kites of different shapes and colours.

People fly kites during the night also, which illuminates the sky in a most unique way. Once the Basant Kite Flying Festival starts, the Basant Mela market also begins. The Basant Mela market sells various things and holds many of the other festival's activities. The Basant mela is a very crowded place filled with flowers and fruits, and also sumptuous Punjabi food. There will be the widest variety of kebabs to taste at the Basant Kite Festival, as well as puppet shows, horse dancing, folk dancing, handicrafts and arts.

Pakistan has a wide variety of cuisines, and when you visit Lahore for the Basant Kite Festival, you really have to indulge in the amazing food. This is really no place for a diet.

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Map

Puzzle

When to Go to Basant Kite Festival

This Basant Kite Flying Festival is celebrated on the 26th and 27th of January every year, to mark the beginning of spring.

Odds n' Ends

Spring is beautiful in Pakistan. However, you have to be covered, and women should not wear shorts or other revealing clothes. Wear jeans and t-shirts, and if possible, cover your head with a scarf.

The local people of Lahore are very friendly and respectful to their visitors, and many will provide you with information, and may also be your guide for free.

Places to Eat

Salt n Pepper
The children play area is up and running at Salt’n Pepper Liberty and Salt'n Pepper Faisal Town. Kids can play free Video Games, take rides on Car and Kangaroo, and other games.
Gloria Jeans Coffees Restaurant

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Books and DVDs

Lonely Planet Pakistan & the Karakoram Highway
300 Unmissable Events and Festivals Around the World
A Different Freedom: Kite Flying in Western India; Culture and Tradition

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