Nepal's skies have a particular quality in October. The monsoon has gone. The air is clear. The visibility is extraordinary. And above every rooftop, from Kathmandu to Pokhara to the smallest hill village, kites are flying. This is Dashain — and the kite is its most visible symbol.
The Kite-Flying Season of Dashain
Among all the activities of Dashain, kite flying holds a position that no other festival activity can claim: it happens in the open sky, visible to everyone. During the 15 days of Dashain, every open field, rooftop, and hillside becomes a flying ground. The tradition specifically says that kites are flown to signal to Lord Indra that the crops no longer need rain — a literal sky-message sent upward on behalf of the farming community. For children, it is the most anticipated activity of the year. For adults, it is the return of something joyful and free.
Making Kites in Nepal: The Lokta Paper Tradition
Young Nepalis making Dashain kites use lokta paper — a traditional Himalayan paper made from the bark of the Lokta plant (Daphne bholua), known for its strength, lightness, and fibrous flexibility. Bamboo splits form the spars. Cotton or synthetic string serves as the flying line. The art of making a kite from lokta paper and bamboo is passed down through families — fathers teaching sons, older siblings teaching younger ones. The kite-cutting sport (trying to break the opponent’s line by manoeuvring your line against theirs) requires both a strong kite and a skilled flyer.
How Fly360 Enhances Dashain Kite Experiences
For communities or event organisers who want to elevate the Dashain kite experience beyond traditional patang flying, Fly360 brings a new dimension. Custom designer kites inspired by Dashain themes — Durga, lotus patterns, Himalayan motifs — can be commissioned for display at cultural events. Fly360 also runs kite-making workshops at Dashain gatherings, giving participants the hands-on experience of designing and building a kite inspired by the festival’s traditions but built with modern materials that fly higher, last longer, and look spectacular.
Fly360's Kite Services for Nepal and South Asian Festivals
Fly360 is India’s leading professional kite company with experience across 700+ events on 4 continents. The team has designed kites for cultural festivals across South Asia, performed at events attended by presidents and prime ministers, and holds two Limca Book of Records. For Nepal-based event organisers, cultural foundations, tourism boards, or corporate event planners looking to add an authentic sky dimension to Dashain celebrations, Fly360 can design and deliver the full programme.
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As a Nepali, reading this article filled my heart with nostalgia and pride! Dashain and kite flying are inseparable in Nepal — the moment the monsoon winds begin to ease, the skies fill with layas and changa. It is wonderful to see this tradition documented and shared with the wider world. The photographs from Nepal captured the spirit of the festival perfectly!
As a Nepali, reading this article filled my heart with nostalgia and pride! Dashain and kite flying are inseparable in Nepal — the moment the monsoon winds begin to ease, the skies fill with layas and changa. It is wonderful to see this tradition documented and shared with the wider world. The photographs from Nepal captured the spirit of the festival perfectly!
As a Nepali, reading this article filled my heart with nostalgia and pride! Dashain and kite flying are inseparable in Nepal — the moment the monsoon winds begin to ease, the skies fill with layas and changa. It is wonderful to see this tradition documented and shared with the wider world. The photographs from Nepal captured the spirit of the festival perfectly!
Bhai tika and kite flying — Dashain would not be complete without these! I am currently living in Bengaluru for work and reading this article made me incredibly homesick. The cultural significance of kite flying during Dashain as a symbol of victory of good over evil is something I had not thought about deeply before. Thank you for this beautiful writeup Fly360!
Bhai tika and kite flying — Dashain would not be complete without these! I am currently living in Bengaluru for work and reading this article made me incredibly homesick. The cultural significance of kite flying during Dashain as a symbol of victory of good over evil is something I had not thought about deeply before. Thank you for this beautiful writeup Fly360!
Bhai tika and kite flying — Dashain would not be complete without these! I am currently living in Bengaluru for work and reading this article made me incredibly homesick. The cultural significance of kite flying during Dashain as a symbol of victory of good over evil is something I had not thought about deeply before. Thank you for this beautiful writeup Fly360!
Every Dashain of my childhood was marked by the smell of newly cut bamboo and the sound of laya strings humming in the wind. This article captures that feeling wonderfully. I would love to see Fly360 explore collaboration with Nepali kite artisans — the bamboo frame kites of Nepal have their own unique engineering worth documenting!
Every Dashain of my childhood was marked by the smell of newly cut bamboo and the sound of laya strings humming in the wind. This article captures that feeling wonderfully. I would love to see Fly360 explore collaboration with Nepali kite artisans — the bamboo frame kites of Nepal have their own unique engineering worth documenting!
Every Dashain of my childhood was marked by the smell of newly cut bamboo and the sound of laya strings humming in the wind. This article captures that feeling wonderfully. I would love to see Fly360 explore collaboration with Nepali kite artisans — the bamboo frame kites of Nepal have their own unique engineering worth documenting!
Living in London, I miss Dashain deeply every year and this article made it feel a little closer. The cultural documentation of how different communities celebrate through kite flying is so valuable. It shows that despite geographical distance, traditions endure. Fly360 is doing important cultural preservation work through their blog. Salam Nepal!
Living in London, I miss Dashain deeply every year and this article made it feel a little closer. The cultural documentation of how different communities celebrate through kite flying is so valuable. It shows that despite geographical distance, traditions endure. Fly360 is doing important cultural preservation work through their blog. Salam Nepal!
Living in London, I miss Dashain deeply every year and this article made it feel a little closer. The cultural documentation of how different communities celebrate through kite flying is so valuable. It shows that despite geographical distance, traditions endure. Fly360 is doing important cultural preservation work through their blog. Salam Nepal!
With Dashain approaching, I came across this article and it is simply wonderful. The festival creates such a beautiful shared experience across all of Nepal — rich and poor, old and young, all looking up at the same kite-filled sky. I hope more young Nepalis read pieces like this so they understand the depth of meaning behind our traditions. Great work!
With Dashain approaching, I came across this article and it is simply wonderful. The festival creates such a beautiful shared experience across all of Nepal — rich and poor, old and young, all looking up at the same kite-filled sky. I hope more young Nepalis read pieces like this so they understand the depth of meaning behind our traditions. Great work!
With Dashain approaching, I came across this article and it is simply wonderful. The festival creates such a beautiful shared experience across all of Nepal — rich and poor, old and young, all looking up at the same kite-filled sky. I hope more young Nepalis read pieces like this so they understand the depth of meaning behind our traditions. Great work!
I use this article every year to introduce non-Nepali colleagues to Dashain traditions. The explanation of why kite flying is considered auspicious during this time is something even many Nepalis cannot articulate clearly. Thank you Fly360 for this beautifully researched piece. It helps bridge cultural understanding between communities!
I use this article every year to introduce non-Nepali colleagues to Dashain traditions. The explanation of why kite flying is considered auspicious during this time is something even many Nepalis cannot articulate clearly. Thank you Fly360 for this beautifully researched piece. It helps bridge cultural understanding between communities!
I use this article every year to introduce non-Nepali colleagues to Dashain traditions. The explanation of why kite flying is considered auspicious during this time is something even many Nepalis cannot articulate clearly. Thank you Fly360 for this beautifully researched piece. It helps bridge cultural understanding between communities!