[In PICTURES] These 14 Photos Will Make You Fall in Love with Kite-Flying Season All over Again

Remember when a random kite flying over your home would make you run to the terrace in excitement? Or that sense of joy when you would get hold of a kite that had drifted into your reach. Or even better — the sense of victory at winning (finally!) win the kite-flying competition against your neighbour in a heart-pounding fight for the evening sky.

We are talking of course about the much-awaited kite-flying festival, which is already in its full swing.

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Even if you’re one among those who never had the chance to hone your kite-flying skills, here are a few incredible photos that will take you to your rooftop right now!

Photo: Flickr

Photo: Flickr

Photo: Flickr

Photo: Flickr

Photo: Flickr

Photo: Flickr

Photo: Flickr

Photo: Uttarayan through the eyes of Sandeepa and Chetan

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Photo: Flickr

Photo: Uttarayan through the eyes of Sandeepa and Chetan

Photo: Flickr

Photo: Flickr

Photo: Flickr

Photo: Flickr

We’d like to offer a a friendly reminder though, that kite-flying is not all fun and frolic — especially since over 5,000 birds get injured every year during the festival. A Jaipur-based NGO, Raksha, along with CAF India and the Wildlife Trust of India, helps injured birds and is trying to spread awareness this season.

They have issued some guidelines to make this festival more bird-friendly.

1. Since the skies are most crowded with birds between 6–8 AM and 5–7 PM, the team recommends not flying kites at these times.
2. Don’t use Chinese manjha and instead use plain white thread to fly kites. The manjha is deadly to hundred of birds every year. It occasionally even injures humans.
3. Dispose of unused manjha safely in covered waste bins. Many birds and animals hurt themselves when they get trapped in manjha that is improperly disposed .
4. Do not ignore birds that are injured. Do your bit, call an animal shelter or another local helpline number to get the bird the help it needs. If you are in Jaipur, you can call Raksha at its 24×7 helpline: +91 9828500065

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