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| Pakistan Gift Store Home»Fairs and Festivals in Pakistan
» Basant Festival |
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Basant Festival |
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There are a plethora of fairs and festivals in Pakistan which add to the rich cultural heritage of this vibrant country. Basant or the spring festival in Pakistan is one of the most important pre Islamic festivals in Pakistan. The most famous celebration of Basant Festival in Pakistan can be noticed in the ancient city of Lahore. The people of Lahore herald the beginning of spring with the Basant Festival. Basant, Festival is sometimes called Jashan-e Baharaan for it is a festival celebrating the arrival of spring. Basant Festival is celebrated by people of all religious backgrounds. Though mainly Basant is celebrated in Pakistan but has now spread throughout much of south Asia including Afghanistan.
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There is a frenzy of kite flying, roof top soirees and equestrian events which are intrinsic feature of the Basant Festival. The ancient eastern city of Lahore marks the beginning of spring with the Basant carnival, an orgy of kite-flying, rooftop soirees, garden parties and equestrian events. People of Pakistan especially the people of Lahore deck then selves up in glamorous clothes, in brilliant hues of yellow and green to bid adieu to the frosts and fogs of winter and usher in spring with the Basant Festival. The men don't lag behind the women in dressing up for Basant Festival for they don embroidered salwar kameez with matching ankle-length scarves while little boys strut in three piece suits. Women adorn their coat their hands with henna and stack their arms with bangles. So the entire Lahore gains a resplendent look during Basant Festival.
One of the quintessential features of the Basant Festival in Lahore is the night time kite flying in the walled old quarter of Lahore round the Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort. The ancient Mughal palaces in Lahore are open overnight to the common public where people gather to view the kites with then night sky being enlightened with flash lights. White paper kites glitter in the night sky where the rival kite fliers joust in duels. Enchanting drum beats and jubilant cry of the trumpets mark the cutting of kite's cord.
Pakistanis from across the country as well as round the globe flock to Lahore to celebrate Basant festival. People throng in the Islamabad to Lahore motorway to catch a glimpse of the flying paper fighting kites. Top hotels are filled choc a bloc with guests and tourists during Basant Festival. If you are contemplating a tour to Lahore you can’t afford to miss the festivities of Basant Festival. But do remember to take back some enchanting mementos from the finest gift stores in Pakistan for your near and dear ones back home.
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