Historic Lahore rooftops booked for Basant

In preparation for the upcoming Basant festival, historic rooftops in central Lahore have been booked for kite flying against charges ranging from Rs2.1 million to around Rs5.5 million. Meanwhile, the city administration has identified dilapidated structures and placed banners on them, prohibiting kite flying on their rooftops to ensure public safety.

Only spacious and structurally sound rooftops have been approved for kite flying. These rooftops, decorated in vibrant Basant colours, while wall wear yellow paint, floral designs, and full arrangements for hosting guests.

Extensive arrangements of food and beverages have been made for locals as well as visitors, coming from other cities and abroad.

Separate menus have been prepared for day and night, featuring a wide variety of dishes including barbecue, broast, malai boti, pak gosht, mutton tikka, phutore, ladoos, hareesa, fish, as well as fruits and dry fruits to cater to the guests’ preferences.

Read More: Basant buzz returns to Lahore

Prime rooftops in central areas, including Mochi Gate and Rang Mahal, have been rented for three-day festivities against charges ranging from Rs2.1 million to Rs4.5 million.

Alongside rooftop preparations, markets are bustling with kites of various sizes and threads, catering to the eager crowd. Residents of central Lahore, Muhammad Junaid and Ammar, have revealed extensive preparations on their rooftops to celebrate the Basant.

After a long hiatus, the festival has finally received permission to be celebrated, attracting guests not only from across Pakistan but also from foreign countries. To ensure night-time kite flying is safe and enjoyable, searchlights have been installed on the rooftops, allowing participants to clearly see their kites and easily manage the kite strings.

Junaid and Ammar added that the rooftops have been decorated with lights to make them stand out, aiming to make their rooftops attractive in the area.

Kite flying has been permitted for three days - from February 6 to 8 - and preparations for the colourful festival are in full swing across the provincial capital. Traditional kite makers and thread (manjha) sellers have set up stalls throughout the city.

Also Read: Supply bottlenecks hinder Basant delight

In inner-city areas, public and private transport has been decorated with Basant colours, and rooftop owners have been instructed to strictly follow safety regulations. Loud music, fireworks, and other risky activities are prohibited, while flying of larger kites (guddas) will start from February 5. Law enforcement agencies have been directed to act promptly against anyone violating the set rules.

People have flocked to markets such as Mochi Gate and Rang Mahal to purchase kites and thread. Small kites (pona tava) are priced at Rs100, medium (dair tava) at Rs450, and large kites (full size tava) is sold for Rs300 each.

Kite thread is also being sold at premium prices, with two-piece sets costing Rs8,000 and four-piece sets up to Rs15,000.

While many buyers complained about low-quality thread, people are willing to pay higher prices to enjoy the festival after decades of restriction. Households are also preparing special Basant menus for friends and family, that include mutton malai boti, barbecue, sweets and gajrela.

Officials said the festival is expected to bring excitement and energy to the city while ensuring public safety and adherence to SOPs. Youth and elders are actively participating in preparations, ensuring a vibrant and safe celebration after years of waiting.

Kite flying prohibited near airports

The rush in Lahore’s kite and string markets continued on Monday, as soaring prices and new safety restrictions underscored the tightly regulated nature of Basant’s limited return to the city.

Key markets including the historic Mochi Gate area are crowded with buyers, where traders reported brisk sales despite mounting concerns over affordability. Shoppers said prices had climbed further overnight, particularly for string, putting additional strain on buyers eager to take part in the festival after years of restrictions.

According to traders and buyers, a two-piece ‘pinna’ of string was selling for as much as Rs14,000, marking a sharp increase of rates reported a day earlier. Kite prices, however, remained largely unchanged, with a single ‘tawa’ selling at around Rs300 and one-and-a-half unit available for approximately Rs450.

Despite the high costs, demand remained strong. Traders attributed the price surge to limited supply, heavy demand and caution among sellers amid strict enforcement and regulatory oversight.