Colourful Basant harmonises people on both sides of border

London (Special Report) - The Basant festival is celebrated every year through out Northern India and Lahore, the cultural capital of Pakistan to mark the end of the winters and commencement of spring.

This festive occasion is marked by flying of colourful kites that cover the entire sky and the horizons. Both men and women folk wear yellow clothes and scarves radiating their festive mood.

Although the Basant is a quite seasonal and traditional festival but in Hindu mythology, it is also attributed to Hindu goddess Saraswati. They worship in temples especially decorated for the occasion for their prosperity and well being.

Muslim Sufis were also celebrated the festival where both Hindus and Muslims used to gather to share the happy occasion. Great Sufi saints Khuwaja Niazmuddin Aulia, Khuwaja Bakhtiar Kaki and Amir Khuso made special arrangements to commemorate the festival drawing people from all costs and creeds to their monasteries.

Basant is also called Vasant as it means spring in Sanskrit.  In India schools usually remain closed on that day and school
Girls attired in bright yellow and orange coloured dresses attend functions in their schools. The girls also adorn themselves with Marigold flowers and yellow and orange scarves. Kite flying is also an important part of the Basant celebrations.