Kite flying is an obsession in the Punjab (India and Pakistan) and an infamous sport when it comes to showing off who is king. Its in the blood. Bets run high on kite battles, and many a wager has been known to reduce a man from riches to rags.

Paying no heed to the chill of the night, bitter drizzle or the reprimands of the mullahs, Pakistanis break loose for this boisterous annual rite of spring. Grown men lose sight of everything but chasing kites in the sky, children stay up until dawn, women party on roofs, dressed in all shades of mustard.

There is no official Basant day here – there is an entire Basant season of kite flying accompanied by rooftop dinners, dances and fun, all of which comes to a climax on the final day. The mood is no different from Octoberfest, Mardi Gras or Carnival.