Makar Sankranti 2025 is almost here and Mumbai’s kite markets are busy with kite lovers thronging to get a hold of their favourite kite designs. Dive into the vibrant world of Makar Sankranti in Mumbai, where the skies come alive with colourful kites! From traditional paper kites to trendy designs like Spiderman and Tweety, discover the best kite collections starting at just ₹1 and going up to ₹500. Learn about the essential firkis that make kite flying a true sport and hear from Mumbai’s top kite sellers about new trends and timeless traditions. However, the festive fun also highlights a serious issue - the use of illegal Chinese and Glass-coated Manjhas. These dangerous materials harm innocent birds and even cause fatal injuries to humans. Despite the ban, they continue to be in demand. In this video, Mid-day’s Katyayani Kapoor explores the joy, business, and challenges of kite flying during Makar Sankranti. Celebrate this festival responsibly and keep the tradition alive for future generations!

Each year the festival of Makar Sankranti brings with itself the promise of auspicious beginnings as the sun enters into the northern hemisphere. However, when it comes to birds, the story is quite the opposite. As kites will take over the sky on the day of Makar Sankranti 2024, what comes next is life-threatening cases of birds being injured by sharp threads of kites. While most of us enjoy this day with our family and friends flying kites and enjoying sweets, a section of volunteers get on their toes to save the birds who have been found hanging from the kite threads fighting for their lives. What leads to these deaths and what can we do about it? Watch this video to know more.