A boy buys kites from a shop in Gaya on Wednesday. Picture by Suman

Gaya, March 2: Conquering the skies with flying kites, especially in winter, has been a glorious tradition here for ages. But kites are now flying low and the tradition is losing its popularity among youths.

Mahesh Lal Guput, an old resident of the town, said even 10 to 15 years ago there was passion among youths to fly kites in winter. But now it is only on festivals like Makar Sankranti and Maha Shivaratri that one can see the colourful kites fluttering in the firmament.

The tradition was especially famous among Gayapal pandas — the traditional priests who live in Andar Gaya. Guput, a member of the community, told The Telegraph: “About 20 years ago, members of the the Gayapal community would gather near Ramshila Hills, at the north of the town, on days of festivals like Maha Shivaratri to fly kites. There would be competition among the youths about who could cut the maximum kites.”

Kite makers Tawarak Hussain and Gajo Lal Gultaras had become popular because their kites were well crafted.

“Their kites were well balanced and took to the air easily. But it was not only on days of festivals that we flew kites. The skies would be covered with colourful paper kites throughout winter,” added Guput.

Central Bihar Chamber of Commerce president Kaushlendra Pratap said: “The only thing I spent my pocket money on was kites and good quality of thread to cut other kites.”

Sources said shrinking open space where youths can gather to fly kites has also shrunk the interest in the age-old tradition.

National Railway Users’ Consultative Committee member Anup Kedia said kites were losing out because they were unable to compete with other modes of entertainment.

“Children are not interested in flying kites that is good for their health. Rather they sit in front of the TV all day long,” said Kedia.

JD (U) leader Laljee Prasad said the government should try to popularise kite flying and organise festivals like those in Jaipur or Ahmedabad.