Mathura is famous the world over for Holi. But every February, a quieter and equally passionate tradition takes over the skies of Vrindavan: the All India Kite Flying Tournament — a month-long competition that draws teams from Delhi, Gujarat, Jaipur and beyond, all competing for the right to claim the sky above the land of Lord Krishna. Fly360 was called to headline the finale day.
The All India Kite Flying Tournament: How It Works
The tournament is jointly organised by Vrindavan Baal Vikas Parishad and Banke Bihari Card Club, and runs for a full month — making it one of India’s longest-running kite competitions. The 2019 edition drew 64 teams from across India, competing daily at Sun City Ground in Vrindavan. Cash prizes of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 50,000, and Rs 25,000 awaited the top three teams. The competition was simple and merciless: keep your kite in the air. The kites used were traditional patangs on various types of manja, and the battle continued each day until only the strongest remained.
Fly360 on Finale Day: When Designer Kites Met the Crowd
The organiser of the Mathura kite club found Fly360 through the website — exactly the kind of discovery that happens when you build a reputation for extraordinary kites online. For the finale day, Fly360 brought its full arsenal: tricolour heart-shaped kites, fish kites, bird-train kites, Indian flag kites, stunt kites, and large inflatable display pieces. The crowd’s reaction was immediate. Gasps, cheers, photographs — the kind of organic engagement that cannot be staged. By early morning the team was already in the air, and the finale day crowd had something to remember beyond the competition itself.
LED Night Kite Show: Mathura After Dark
The finale day stretched well beyond sunset. Fly360’s LED night kite show transformed the Vrindavan sky into something entirely new for the tournament audience. Illuminated kites, each carrying custom LED configurations and powered by lightweight lithium battery packs, traced glowing arcs against the night sky. For a crowd accustomed to daytime patang battles, the effect was electric. Night kite shows by Fly360 are now a signature offering — performed across India and internationally, engineered to maximum visual impact at minimum wind-entry speed.
Why Fly360 Partners with Traditional Kite Tournaments
The Mathura collaboration reflects something core to Fly360’s mission under Nisarg Shah: the belief that modern engineering and ancient tradition are not in competition — they are partners. A traditional patang competition celebrates skill and heritage. Fly360’s designer kites add spectacle, draw media attention, and attract new audiences. The combination extends the life of these events and ensures the next generation of kite enthusiasts has something aspirational to look up at. That mission is why Fly360 has participated in 700+ events across 4 continents since 1996.
Event Gallery
Mathura kite flying has such a deep connection to the devotional culture of Braj — the imagery of kites soaring over the sacred Yamuna is profoundly moving. This tournament brought together fliers from across the region and the competitive spirit was intense but joyful. Fly360 organised everything impeccably. A wonderful event for our city!
The Mathura-Vrindavan region deserves a permanent annual kite festival given its cultural significance and the tradition of kite flying during Holi and other festivities here. This tournament was a great start. The article captures the competitive excitement beautifully. Fly360 brought kite variety and expertise that our local tournaments had been lacking. Please make this an annual fixture!
Holi in Mathura with kite flying is a combination I never experienced before reading this article. The visual of coloured powder in the air alongside colourful kites must have been extraordinary! As a Vrindavan native, I am proud to see our region gaining recognition for kite culture. Would love to see a dedicated Braj Kite Festival covering Mathura, Vrindavan, and Barsana!
Five years after this tournament and Mathura kite culture is still growing! I recently visited and noticed many more families flying kites on the ghats during evening prayers. Fly360’s event planted seeds that have been bearing fruit. The article remains the best documentation of the tournament and I reference it often in my work on UP cultural tourism. Excellent coverage!
I am planning a cultural trip to Uttar Pradesh and the combination of Mathura’s spiritual heritage and this kite festival tradition is extremely compelling. Articles like this help international visitors like me plan trips that go beyond the tourist trail. Fly360 is doing wonderful work in promoting lesser-known cultural gems of India. Looking forward to visiting during the next tournament!