Basant (Punjabi: [bəsəntˈ]) is a springtime Punjabi festival primarily associated with flying kites. According to the Punjabi calendar, it is held on the fifth day of Magh (in late January or early February), marking the start of spring.
A burst of color lit up Lahore’s night sky overnight as Pakistan’s cultural capital relaunched the Basant kite-flying festival after nearly two decades.
Basant Festival of Kites, also known as Basant Panchami, Vasant Panchami, Saraswati Puja or Shree Panchami, is a festival to celebrate the first day of spring. It is observed on the fifth day of the Indian month of Magha (late January to early February) by Hindus and Sikhs (Panchami means "fifth").
Basant Kite Festival - Festivals for Spring: Holi and Basant Kite ...
The word “Basant” derives from the Sanskrit “Vasant,” meaning spring, and traditionally marks the transition from harsh winter to the blooming of spring.
In the streets of Lahore, there are hints that the kite flying festival, Basant, has returned.
Basant is a springtime festival historically celebrated across the Punjab region to mark the end of winter and the beginning of warmer, brighter days. The word “Basant” itself means spring in Punjabi and Hindi, and the festival’s vibrant colors, especially yellow, reflect the blooming mustard fields and sunny skies of the season.
Pakistani Basant Festival is a cultural celebration that features traditional food, attire, dances, and music in addition to being a kite-flying competition. Every year, Punjab in India celebrates this Basant season with the same enthusiasm and zeal as in Pakistan.