Lucknow: A day after Diwali , as the city settled down after celebrations, Lucknow’s old quarters took to the skies. Rooftops across Chowk, Nakhas, Aminabad and Husainabad filled with kite flyers, marking Jamghat, the annual kite-flying festival celebrated on the day of Govardhan Puja .
Faizan Khan (40), a resident of Chowk, said, “Jamghat is not about religion. Samarth Shukla (38), from Thakurganj, said: “Kite flying on Jamghat is a tradition we have followed for generations. Nizamuddin (64), a retired govt employee, said, “I have seen this tradition since my father’s time.
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It remains a tradition that brings people together and reflects the shared culture of Awadh,” said Mehmood Abidi, exponent of oral history. Rishabh Verma, a kite seller in Babuganj, said, “Sales increase in the days before Diwali as people buy kites and manjha in bulk. For generations, Jamghat has been a part of Lucknow’s cultural identity. People from different communities come together to fly kites, compete with one another and celebrate the occasion. The festival cuts across religious boundaries, reflecting the city’s tradition of shared celebrations and community participation. “Jamghat has deep roots in Awadh’s history and the kite-flying traditions of its Nawabs. The Nawabs not only adopted local traditions but also promoted them. Jamghat is also a reflection of Lucknow’s Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb. Hindus and Muslims celebrate it together by flying kites, with no religious rituals involved. It is part of Lucknow’s culture. Our Hindu neighbours join us on the terrace, we arrange food and everyone celebrates together. We may not know how it started, but people from all communities take part and enjoy the day. Kites of different shapes and sizes were flown during the festival. Diamond-shaped, box and long-tailed kites were common. This year, kites featuring themes linked to politicians and actors also attracted buyers. For kite sellers, Jamghat is among the busiest periods of the year. He used to fly kites with his friends. Now, I continue the tradition with my son and grandson. Download the TOI App.
This year, business has been good, and sales have nearly doubled compared to last year.