In the Punjab province of Pakistan, Basant, also known as the Kite Flying Festival, has long been cherished as a joyful harbinger of spring, transforming the skies of cities like Lahore into a dazzling mosaic of colorful kites.
After a nearly 18-year ban due to safety concerns, the Punjab government has officially revived the festival for February 6 to 8, 2026.
Marking the arrival of the season with exuberant rooftop gatherings, families and friends come together to fly kites, savor traditional sweets, and fill the air with music, laughter, and the triumphant cries of “bo kata” as strings are cut in friendly battles.
Want to join the spring festival? Check out the top Basant events in Lahore
Historically popularized in the region by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 19th century, Basant evolved into a secular, community-driven event that transcends religious boundaries, emphasizing Punjabi cultural pride over its Hindu roots dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.
Basant (also known as Vasant Panchami) is primarily a Hindu festival, though it has evolved into a broader cultural celebration across the Indian subcontinent.
The festival’s identity varies depending on religious and regional context.
It is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music, and the arts. Devotees wear yellow (symbolizing spring and mustard fields), and children often begin their formal education on this day through the ritual of Vidya-Arambham.
It is celebrated as a seasonal event. Maharaja Ranjit Singh historically popularised the Basant fair and kite flying in the 19th century, institutionalizing it as a major Punjabi social festival.
A unique “Sufi Basant” has been observed for over 700 years at the Dargah of Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi.
According to legend, the poet Amir Khusrau introduced it to cheer up his grieving master by emulating the yellow-clad Hindu women he saw celebrating the spring.
In the Punjab region of both India and Pakistan, it is widely celebrated as a secular kite-flying festival, marking the arrival of spring rather than a specific religious rite.
