Basant (festival)

Basant is a joyful springtime festival celebrated by the Punjabi people. It is best known for the beautiful tradition of flying kites, which fill the sky with colorful strings and shapes. According to the Punjabi calendar, Basant takes place on the fifth day of Magh, usually in late January or early February, marking the beginning of spring.

People celebrate Basant across Punjab in both India and Pakistan, as well as among the Punjabi diaspora. The festival brings together families and friends to enjoy the fresh, sunny weather and the lively atmosphere that comes with this special time of year.

Patronage and institutionalisation

Kite flying became popular during the time of the Mughal emperors. They enjoyed it as part of spring celebrations, and it was a big event at places like the Lahore Fort.

Later, in the early 1800s, the Sikh Empire, especially under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, helped make Basant an important festival. People in Lahore, including important leaders and soldiers, wore yellow clothes and joined in the fun, making it a special event for everyone.

Majha Punjab

See also: Majha

Amritsar, Lahore, and Kasur are famous places where people enjoy flying kites during the Basant festival. A big celebration called the Basant Mela happens in Lahore (see Festivals of Lahore). People also celebrate in Sialkot, Gujranwala, and Gurdaspur.

Long ago, a leader named Maharaja Ranjit Singh started a big fair every year for Basant. He and his queen, Moran, would wear yellow clothes and fly kites. This tradition of kite-flying became very popular in Lahore, which is still the main place for the festival in the Punjab area. During these celebrations, soldiers would wear yellow and show off their skills. Women would also swing and sing happy songs.

Malwa, Punjab, India

The festival of Basant is celebrated in Malwa with people coming together to fly kites. In places like Firozpur, children enjoy flying kites to celebrate this special day. A big fair happens on Basant Panchmi day at the Shiva temple of Bansari and Gudri in Dhuri, Sangrur district. The fair has swings, fun rides, and delicious food for everyone to enjoy.

Punjab, Pakistan

In the Punjab province of Pakistan, Basant is a joyful spring festival. People love to fly kites and enjoy fairs during this time. The festival usually happens in late January or early February, marking the beginning of spring.

In the past, the festival was very popular, but some unsafe practices with kite strings caused injuries. Because of this, the government banned Basant from 2007 to 2026. Even with the ban, people in places like Rawalpindi still found ways to celebrate quietly.

Recently, the festival was allowed again in February 2026, but with safety rules. Only Lahore could hold the event, and police watched closely to make sure everyone stayed safe. People used special tools to protect their motorcycles, and nets were placed over streets to keep kite strings away from power lines. Despite these rules, some people in other cities still flew kites secretly, leading to a few arrests. The festival helped bring back important traditions and joy to the community.

In popular culture

Basant is shown in Pakistani films, documentaries, and music. It is a time for flying kites and enjoying city life in Lahore.

• Bo Kata (2007), a documentary film, shows how people celebrate Basant in Lahore with kite flying and special competitions.
• Kites Grounded (2013), a Pakistani Punjabi-language film, tells the story of a kite maker during a time when the Basant festival was not allowed in Punjab.