Makar Sankranti kite fever grips Walled City

Jaipur: Walled City has slipped into a vibrant festive rhythm with Makar Sankranti just round the corner. The annual tradition of kite flying continues to cast its spell over the Pink City, as thousands thronged markets to make last-minute purchases ahead of the festival.On Monday evening, the narrow bylanes of Handipura, Tripolia Bazaar, Haldiyon Ka Raasta and Chandpole were packed with shoppers browsing through stacks of colourful kites and spools of manjha. The rush was so intense that traffic movement in large parts of the Walled City remained chaotic throughout the day, with vehicles inching forward amid crowds engaged in festive shopping.
A visit to these bustling markets showed that fears of a subdued celebration were laid to rest by the lively scenes on the ground. Shopkeepers said the season picked up early this year, with customers arriving steadily since the first week of Jan and a noticeable spike over the weekend. "In Jaipur, nothing can match the excitement of the kite festival. Customers came in continuously, and Sunday saw a particularly heavy rush. Most of them were here for final Makar Sankranti shopping," said Abdul Naeem, a wholesale trader of kites and manjha in Tripolia Bazaar. Handipura, regarded as the biggest kite market in Jaipur, appeared especially vibrant. People of all age groups were seen carefully examining stacks of kites in different colours, sizes and designs. Children eagerly tugged at their parents to buy more, while groups of youngsters debated colours and quality, lending the area a carnival-like atmosphere. This year, however, kite flying comes at a slightly higher cost. Traders attributed the price rise to supply disruptions in Uttar Pradesh, from where a large number of kites are sourced. "Persistent fog in Bareilly, Rampur and nearby areas affected production and transportation. As a result, kites that were earlier sold at Rs 80 for 20 pieces are now priced at around Rs 120," said Naeem Ahamed, a wholesale dealer in Handipura. He added that increased paper costs, unfavourable weather and higher labour charges also contributed to the hike. The starting price of kites this season is around Rs 5 per piece. Despite the higher prices, enthusiasm among buyers remained unaffected. "Bhaav kuch bhi ho, Jaipur ke logon ko koi farq nahin padta," said Nabbu Khan, a kite and manjha seller in Handipura. Echoing the sentiment, 46-year-old Avinash Sharma, who bought nearly 100 kites and two spools of manjha, said, "Patang to udaani hi hai, direct sunlight milti hai (Flying kites is a must, we also get direct sunlight)." Behind the scenes, local manufacturers are working overtime to meet the demand from Jaipur as well as neighbouring districts.