Pakistan: Basant Festival

by ISI

The City of Lahore marks the beginning of spring with the Basant Festival, an orgy of kite-flying, rooftop soirees, garden parties and equestrian events, much to the disgust of Islamic clerics. Lahorites and out-of-town enthusiasts don glamorous clothes, in the yellow and green of spring flowers blooming citywide, to bid farewell to the frosts and fogs of winter and usher in spring.

Nighttime kite-flying in the walled old quarter around the 16th century Badshahi mosque and Lahore fort opens the festival. Ancient mughal palaces ... (more)

Basant
Kites on Sale at Local Shop in Lahore for the Festival.

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Millions of kites take to the skies and battle each other; two kites...

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Millions take the roofs during Basant; most of the time it's very fun but...

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Huge Kites!

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Kite Maker in Lahore; these people make a LOT of money during the week long...

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Can you count how many there are?

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Millions of Kites in the Skies of Lahore!

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It's Dark! No problem; Basant never stops. People go far enough to...

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Kite Shop; it's non-stop work for the Kite Maker!

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A man flying his kite!

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These kites are huge but also very colourful!

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Kites line the walls of this Kite Shop in Lahore

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Darkness dosen't stop many!

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Millions of Kites; usually it causes many power outages as many cut...

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Millions of Kites are in the skies; good luck trying to fly a plane...

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Dusk sets in Lahore

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On the roof of a home; most popular place to fly kites.

article published 12/23/2004

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Basant Qatil Tehwaar / Be Hayaii
Salam Ap Sab Jntay Hain K Basant Bahaar Manaya ja Raha Hay or Pata Nahi Kitnay Log Is Main Zakhmi Or Jan Say Jatay Hain Ham Kesay Pakistani Hain Or Ham Ksay Musalman Hain Jinho Nay Gairo Ki Rah Apna-Lee Hay Zara Sochay Isi Dhagay Say Kese Ki Mout Waqay Ho Jati Hay Or Ham Khushyaan Mana Rahay Hotay Hain ALLAH Na Karay Kal Aap Ka Koi Bhai Isi Dhagay Ka Nishana Ban Jaye Or Phir Basant Ki Khushyaa Manai Rahi Ho Waha Dukh Hi Dukh Phail Jaye Aakhir Kaha Likha Hay Keh Basand Manana Chahiye . Or Jis Tarah Kay Be Hayaii Kay Muzairay Hotay Hain Larkiyaan or Larkay Jis Andaz Say Nachtay Hain Na Sharam O Haya Na Gairat BHAI Kay Samnay BEHAN Nachti Hay or MAA BAAP Kay Samnay Un Ki Oulaad Bara Acha Lagta Hay Be-Hayaii Kay Is Tarah Say Khulay Muzairay Karna Magribi Lebaas Pehan Kar Is Tarah Say Be Sharam Ban Jana Afsoos Hay Kesay Parents Hain Jo Apni Oulaad Ko Be-Hayaii Seekha Rahay Hain Mout Ko Mat Bholo ALLAH Kay Pass Jana Hay Lakin Us Waqt Tak Koi Faida Nahi Hoga
— Imran, March 31, 2009

I would like to draw kind attention of Government Officials through your site that Basant Festival should be organized by Government by having complete check & balance on Shop keeper s who sold out such material causes deaths. If we realize them that these are they who are launching hurdles to celebrate by selling prohibited products relating to this festival

In last I appeal all of you to celebrate this festival by securing yourselves because life is not like a Kite which can be retrieved again once lost.

Thanks M. Imran Khan Ghouri
— MIKG, March 13, 2009

Zalimon Basant Per Se Pabandi Hata Do
i Can not understand whats the reason to ban on Basant Festival.Every body enjoy to basant.But ONly Politics involves in lahore. In Past always Kights flying but in some years it Became a Problem for Politions (Specially Pervaiz Mushraf Sb Created Problem) Please Basant Per se Pabandi Hata Do. Nahin To Inqlab Aye Ga. My Telephone No IS 042-5845115
— Mukhtar Baig, February 28, 2009

Release Ban on Basant Festival
Kindly release ban on Basant Festival becaues it is source of entertainment at home only one month (Whole Febuary) it should be celebrated because it is source of Income for many people & Proper way to entertaiment if any body have any objection on my sentance than call me on my Cell Phone# 03014032215 i am imam Masjid at Raiwind Thanks
— Munawar baig (Raiwind), February 28, 2009

Basant Festival
Mera naam Aamir hai.Mein patang udrata to nahi laikin basant per enjoy karta hoon.kyun k ye hi aik din hotta hai enjoy karne ka.Agar iss per pabandi lagani hai to 'VALANTINE DAY' jaise din per b pabandi lagani chahye.Basant per pabandi hone ki waja se bohat se young lardke kharab ho chuke hain koi nasha kar rah hai to koi juaa khail raha hai.Iss liye GOVT ko chahye K Kite flying Commette se mil ker koi hal nikale.
— Aamir, February 20, 2009

Hello again! I agree with some friends saying it is the only festival for Lahorees. People have the right to say and enjoy. Please lift the ban. I know my Nations young people are very intelligent and they deserve some free time, they should at least be given a chance for once per year at least to enjoy.
— adnan, February 17, 2009

Its a nice festival for all ages to enjoy. People travelling on roads should be more carefull with falling threads. I would say it is the only festival which gives Lahore some spirit of life whereby families and friends get togather in homes and enjoy discussions and fly kites. I agree with friends saying 'its fazool khurchi' but think of it as a cost of once per year. I really mis this festival as I live far away from Pakistan but still try to access photos and articles online and read about Basant. Enjoy! but keep in mind people travelling on roads have no idea where the falling thread is coming from.
— adnan, February 17, 2009

hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
the basant festival looks very great to me we also celebrate it here but its no fun i think we should come to lahore and enjoy the basant festival thankyou
— AQSA, January 18, 2009

plz
plzeik he to sahe tareeqa hai entertainment ka jo es ke khalaf warze karte maslan dhate door use karte hai gov unhe kuch nahe keht bas asan hal hai patangf baze per pabande laga de aur kae gareebon ke pate per laat mare hai enu ne
— hani, October 29, 2008

kites is flights on the sky
Dekho kaisay "kites are flying on the sky.yar try to understand
— UMAIR ALI, October 28, 2008

plz OPEN it
Mujahy apny government say bus yehi khana hai k PLZ isay to khol do yehi to aik enjoyment ka tarika tha hamaray pas aur tum nay wo bhi cancel ker dia PLZ try to understand GOVERNMENT
— umair ali, October 28, 2008

I love this! People are starting to celebrate basant in America. I am neither Islamic or Pakistani but have friends who are. I love that people are feeling free enough to carry on this tradition even in the US.
— justme, April 16, 2008

Hmmm....Basant
Hey.... guys.. This is Waqas from Karachi "City of Lights" wow...Basant acha festival hain... kia baat hain is ki... is ko hona chaiyee.. coz hamara culture,way living sub change haora hain.. as compare to pevious.. well i think... her cheez aur festival... aik limit may hona chaiyee...
— waqas Abbasi, March 18, 2008

Senior Secretary
Having just heard about Basant I was curious and just had to view a website. I found this website. wow! What an amazing festival. It looks like it brings all the people together in JOY and FRIENDSHIP, okay, maybe a little rivaly but that is a healthy attribute. There is only one downside that I can see, and that is the kites held by wire and suchlike. If strict rules were put in place then, perhaps, there wouldn't be any problems with power cables being cut or people dying because of the cables. I hope your festival goes on for years and years and years. And, who knows, maybe one of these years I might just be able to see it for myself.

J. UK
— June Allan, March 10, 2008

Kite Flying Competion or Basant
Dear Brothers,Cricket hockey football,tenis,table tenis ,wali ball,wresling etc these are all non muslims games but we played it with proud .if i am not wrong these games belongs also from non muslims,we are muslims,we can not think naozubillah about this, we all flying kites just as a game for entertainment in which one person will be winner and one will be looser.so my frinds please dont join it with Religion.We are all muslims.Hindoon ko maro goli,Dont Use this word BAsant,Use word Kite Flying Competion.we all having a objection on word basent and i belive on goverment level if we would use word of Kite Flying Competition ,we have not any objection
— Akram elahi, February 27, 2008

Bassant
People of pakistan,pathetic,america put senssions on Govt due to Great Policies,then pakistan Govt Set sentions on Pakistani People,Even they not provide us one event of entertainment,Lot of people Died in road accident,if i am not wrong more then 50000 pepole died in past year on road,similary on other event 12 may 2007 45 died ,etc why govt set sensions on arm,and cars which ara also cause of lot of deaths.
— Akram Elahi, February 27, 2008

dusroon k liay dua
dera brothers & sisters PROPHET(PBUH) nay farmiay hai k jo dusroon k liay dua karta hai frashtay Allah tala say pehlay us ki kar kuai ki dua farmatay hain. app sab say guzarash hai k doosrain ki sahat rizq or lambi umar or naik seerat ki dua zaoor kia karain Allah ap ko aja-e azeem ata farmay ameen. ap sab ka dua go muhammmad awais
— awais munj, February 21, 2008

basant
ik hindu nay RASOOL(PBUH) ki shan main gustakhi ki thi our dosron nay is kushi main patang uri main apnay muslims bhaion ko request karon ga k apnay iman ko kamzoor na karain.ALLAL-rab-ul-ezat hum sub musalmano ko apnay deen ki samjh farmay.or humaray iman ki hafazat farmay.ameen allah humaray gunahon ko muaf farmay our hundoana our gar muslim ki parvy karnay ki bajay nabi(PBUH) ki sunt aur allah k hukmoon per amal karnay ki tofeeq farmay
— rana awais munj, February 21, 2008

basant ka intazar
yar mje basant ka bht shdat se intazar hai plz is pr pabandi khol dain
— khokher, February 13, 2008

basant
basant is a day of entertainment if v enjoy that day than no problem.the people who against this day pz ask them what is ur's entertainment sources.i don't think any prolem about this day.if some said regarding religon then plz ask them how many orders v obet the GOD.
— atif, February 11, 2008

BASANT KI KYA HI BAT HAI
MUJHAY ZINDAGI MAIN 2 HI SHOK HAIN 1 CRICKET KA OR DOSRA PATTANG BAZI KA.MERY PAS IS WAQT 500 GUDDA PARA HOWA HAI OR BOHAT ZYADA DOOR LEKIN GOVT. KI PABANDI KI WJA SY NAHI URA SAKTA.LOGO KO CHAHIYE K WO MOTORCYCLE K AGY HEFAZTI TAR LAGWAEN TA K UN KO KOI NUQSAN NA PUHNCHAY.
— zagham khan, February 4, 2008

basant will go on....
basant ko ho na chahye is me lakho ka faida hota hai .jin ki jan zaya hoti hai wo is haqoomat ka nataq hai .be care ur self .u know me eid pe bor hota hu lakin basant pe bht maza ata hai.
— shahzad, January 25, 2008

Thanks For The Comments
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— ISI, August 31, 2007

no pabandi
i m pakistani and living in the heart of the country in lahore. There sholud not be pabandi on the days of basant.Beacuse it is one of the most famous festival of the pakistan .So we should celebrate it but one thing keeping in mind that our misuse can beacome the cause of death for some one which will be a great lose of humanity.
— ali rehman, June 30, 2007

Iam a muslim but not pakistani, i think this is a beautiful way of welcoming spring.As long as its not interfering with the tenents of Islam it is fine. Nobody is being hurt and it promotes happiness and togetherness.
— kashifa faryad, June 27, 2007

Aik Elteja
Dear Pakistani People

Plz don't celebrate this event.its not our Islamic Event.Plz save urself 4rm the fire of Hell.
— shereen, March 30, 2007

basant is a very precious moment
agar hum yeh kehnein ky basant manani nahi chahyey to yeh bohat bara jhoot hai because if you want to know about the feelings of that person who couldn't attend the basant then ask from me. i couldn't sleep the whole night because i wasn't in the pakistan IN SHORT " ITS GREAT AND PRECIOUS MOMENT FOR EVERY AND A GREAT CHANCE TO ENJOY AND FULFILL HIS LIFE WITH GREAT MEMORIES"
— usman zafar from russia, February 26, 2007

basant na manao plz musalmano
plz dont celebrate this bastard event oh!dear muslims.it is the worst enemy of our religion and our dear traditions.plz avoid this bad tradition. thanks
— ghashia, February 18, 2007

Pabandi on basant
Pakistan jaise ghareeb mulk ko is tarhan ke tehwar zeeb nahin detey jahan loog bhookey mar rahe hain aur ghareeb adme k pass aik waqt ke rotey bhe nahin hai...or itne fazoool karchey....quite unable to understand?????specially my plea is for students????plz condemn it
— umer, February 15, 2007

basant or pabandi
pabandi or basant kai match mein humeshah jeet basant ki hoti hai .is liya kehtai hain kai harnai ka ziada shock hai tu dobara aooo.
— atifabasi, February 6, 2007

basant hi basant
basant nahi to kuch nahi. i m in favour of basant.iwish kai basant will opend by baned.
— rashid, January 29, 2007

basant is like a life
basant is like life. it means that the gathering of friends 'music and such enjoyment.is never be look.
— shahzad, January 29, 2007

Basant the best
Basant is fun for everyone you can go to dinner for free people have fun by flying kites i wish this year Basant is more better than last year.
— Izhar, January 13, 2007

Busant shuld be promoted
i m in the favour of busant , there are millions of fornars arrive in lahore to celbarte this event , thats the logo of lahore . lahore is recogonized all over the world due to busant , if we ban it our idenataiy will be removed ! there are a lot of people who dies due to electrictiy .. if our goverment wana ban busant then they must be ban electricity ...
— tabish arslan, December 22, 2006

this is a beauti full festival in lahore ,families came to gether and have a freat fun and should continue. LAHORE
— Khawar lahore, November 17, 2006

Basant
A beautiful event - healthy entertainment but its fate in the hands of selfish people now-a-days.
— Bashir Ahmed Mughal, June 13, 2006

how they celebrate in pakistan?
— waqar, February 25, 2006

Basanty
Basant is a very awsome time for people to socialize a word people use most at this time is 'CHAKH DA PHATTA'
— Roushan, January 8, 2005