Makar Sankranti is a Hindu harvest festival celebrated across India each January to mark the Sun’s transit into the zodiac sign Makara (Capricorn) and the beginning of longer days. The day is often dedicated to Surya, the sun god, with various regional customs including holy baths, food sharing, and community events. Kite flying, especially popular in states like Gujarat (where the festival is known as Uttarayan), Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, has become a prominent symbol of this seasonal transition. Cities such as Ahmedabad host large kite gatherings, including the International Kite Festival, attracting participants from across India and abroad.
Flying kites during Makar Sankranti symbolizes several ideas, from welcoming the sun and the warmer season to social cohesion and joyful competition among participants. Historically, kite flying began as a festive pastime but has grown into a major cultural expression associated with community celebrations.
Traditionally, kite strings (manja) were made of cotton, often coated with natural adhesives. However, over recent decades, synthetic and glass-coated strings known as Chinese manja or “Chinese dor” have become widely used during kite flying competitions. These strings are coated with powdered glass or metal to increase their cutting ability, especially in competitive kite fights where participants try to cut the strings of others to win.
The strength and sharpness of Chinese manja make it more hazardous than traditional cotton thread. It is non-biodegradable, retains sharp edges, and can stay suspended in the air or remain on poles, cables, and trees after festivities, posing risks to people, animals, and infrastructure.
Due to risks associated with Chinese manja, several Indian cities and regions have issued bans or prohibitory orders on its sale, storage, and use during the Makar Sankranti season under public safety laws.
In Indore, a man named Raghuvir Dhakad died when a stray Chinese manja slit his throat while riding his motorcycle on Sunday; this marked at least the second fatality in the area linked to the string this season. A companion sustained neck injuries from a similar incident.
In Gurdaspur, a young motorcyclist suffered serious cuts to his forehead, nose, and eyebrow after contact with a razor-sharp kite string as he was riding to collect medicine. Hospital treatment involved multiple stitches.
In Ludhiana, at least four people, including an eight-year-old boy were seriously injured by Chinese manja within last week, with one individual requiring about 30 stitches after deep cuts across the head and neck. Local media reported these injuries in early January 2026.
UP police constable, Shah Rukh Hasan from Amroha was killed last year in January while he was riding his motorcycle to work by Chinese manja.
Such injuries often occur when people on two-wheelers, pedestrians, or bystanders come into contact with low-hanging or loose sections of the glass-coated string, which can act like a razor wire due to its high tensile strength.
Police and local authorities have responded with intensified crackdowns, including seizures of banned string stock and arrests of those involved in its sale, as part of preventive measures ahead of the festival. Indore police, for example, seized synthetic manja and arrested individuals under relevant public safety codes.
According to Dr. Devender Singh, Sr. Consultant Vascular & Endo Vascular Surgeon and Clinical Director at Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, Telangana, injuries caused by glass- or metal-coated kite strings (manja) occur due to their razor-sharp nature and high tensile strength. He explains that they behave like a sharp blade when stretched at speed. When pedestrians or two-wheeler riders come into contact with such strings, especially during sudden movement like bike riding, the resulting injury can be instantaneous and severe.
While many kite string injuries may initially appear minor, Dr. Singh notes that the "neck is particularly vulnerable because it remains largely exposed and contains several critical structures close to the skin surface due to the absence of muscles." "Even a thin string can cause a deep cut within seconds, leading to massive bleeding or damage to vital anatomical structures."
Dr. Devender highlights that "the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain, and the jugular veins, which drain blood back to the heart, are especially at-risk during neck injuries". Damage to these vessels can result in rapid blood loss, stroke, or death if not treated immediately. "In some cases, the string may also injure the trachea (windpipe), leading to airway obstruction and breathing difficulties, or damage the esophagus, increasing the risk of infection and long-term complications."
He further explains that kite strings can also damage vital nerves, potentially resulting in permanent neurological deficits.
In another documented case from his practice, a patient sustained a near-total leg amputation after a kite string became tightly wound around the limb, cutting through skin, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and even bone, demonstrating the extreme sharpness of such strings.
In his clinical experience spanning over two decades, Dr. Singh has surgically treated multiple severe kite string injuries, most involving the neck, with some patients arriving at hospitals too late to be saved due to uncontrolled bleeding. He has published a paper on the management of such injuries in a peer-reviewed surgical journal. 1
Beyond direct lacerations, Dr. Devender points out that secondary injuries are common during kite-flying festivities. Children and adolescents often run across roads, rooftops, or near electrical infrastructure while chasing cut kites. These actions increase the risk of road traffic accidents, falls, fractures, and electrical injuries, some of which can also be fatal.
Dr. Devender Singh emphasizes that prompt and correct first aid can be lifesaving. He advises that the injured person should be made to lie down with the head slightly elevated while firm pressure is applied directly over the bleeding wound using a clean cloth or hand if nothing else is available. Panic should be avoided and attempts to remove the embedded string should not be made, as this may worsen bleeding by completing a partial vessel cut.
He also cautions against giving food or water to the injured person, as internal injuries may be present and emergency surgery may be required. Immediate transport to the nearest hospital or calling emergency medical services is critical, as every minute of blood loss significantly increases the risk of fatality.
From a preventive standpoint, Dr. Devender Singh stresses the need for a complete ban on glass-coated, metal-coated, and synthetic kite strings, with strict enforcement against illegal sale and use. He advocates for allowing only plain cotton thread and restricting kite flying to designated open areas away from roads, terraces, and electrical lines.
He further recommends that two-wheeler riders wear full-face helmets and neck guards during the kite-flying season to reduce the risk of catastrophic neck injuries. Parental supervision of children and sustained public awareness campaigns are also essential, as many victims of kite string injuries are uninvolved bystanders rather than participants in kite flying. stronger laws and create public awareness.
Official prohibitory orders banning the sale, storage, and use of Chinese manja have been issued by police authorities in various cities ahead of Makar Sankranti 2026 to enhance public safety.
To reduce injuries and fatalities during the kite-flying season, several city and district authorities across India have enforced bans and carried out enforcement drives against the sale and use of Chinese manja. This is not an exhaustive list, and similar restrictions have been implemented in other regions as well.
Kite flying remains a vibrant and culturally significant tradition associated with Makar Sankranti, particularly in regions like Gujarat and northern India. However, the use of banned, sharp synthetic kite strings (Chinese manja) has been linked to serious injuries and fatalities for people and wildlife.
What is Chinese manja?
Chinese manja is a synthetic kite string coated with glass or metal powder to make it extremely sharp. It is designed for competitive kite fighting but poses serious injury risks to the public.
Why is Chinese manja banned?
Many Indian states have banned Chinese manja because it has caused fatal neck injuries, severe bleeding, and accidents involving pedestrians, bikers, and animals. It is also non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment.
What should you do if injured by a kite string?
Apply firm pressure to stop bleeding, avoid removing embedded string, keep the person lying down, and seek immediate medical help. Call emergency services without delay.
How can you stay safe during kite flying?
Avoid flying kites near roads or power lines, use only cotton thread, wear protective gear if riding two-wheelers, and supervise children during kite flying.
112 – National Emergency Helpline
108 – Ambulance and Medical Emergency
100 – Police
1. Singh, Devender, Aruna Sree Kottilliyil, and Basavarajendra Anurshetru. “Kite String Vascular Injuries: Management of Uncommon Vascular Injuries with Kite String.” Indian Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 9, no. 5 (Oct–Dec 2022): 381–84. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijves.ijves_66_22.
MSM
