Makar Sankranti in Gujarat marks the beginning of Uttarayan, a seasonal phase that lasts for six months. Apart from rituals, the day is marked by the flying of kites. Preparations begin as early as November and as the festival draws near, the Patang Bazar in the older part of the city draws the maximum number of buyers. Since 1989, Ahmedabad has been hosting an international kite festival, which is getting increasingly popular. Almost every known variety of kite can be seen in the skies over Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad, from box kites to high-speed sport kites, from windsocs and spinsocs to hand-painted artistic kites. In 2017, the International Kite Festival will be held from January 8 to 14.