Dr. Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
January 14, the day of Makar Sankranti, heralds a change of season. Festivals are best experienced at the heart of the action, and nowhere is this more true than in Ahmedabad during Uttarayan, the famed kite-flying festival. The World Heritage City becomes synonymous with kites on this day. While Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India in many forms, its cultural expression varies from region to region, with Gujarat giving it a unique and vibrant identity.
Makar Sankranti is considered one of the most auspicious days for Hindus and is celebrated across the country with devotion, fervour, and joy. The word Makar refers to Capricorn, while Sankranti means transition. The term Uttarayan comes from the Sanskrit words Uttara (north) and Ayana (movement), signifying the Sun’s northward journey in the celestial sphere.
Ahmedabad plays host to the International Kite Festival, which attracts kite flyers from across India and around the world. Enthusiasts from several countries participate in the week-long celebrations held across various cities of Gujarat. According to the Indian calendar, Uttarayan marks the gradual shift from winter to summer. Days grow longer, skies turn clearer, and a pleasant breeze fills the air. A sense of anticipation and celebration grips everyone as people come together in a spirit of thanksgiving and joy. Celebrated on the same date every year in the English calendar, the festival also marks the beginning of the harvest season.
Kite flying is the heart of Makar Sankranti celebrations. It is a time of gratitude and happiness, and nothing captures this spirit better than colourful kites soaring in the sky. While the festival is celebrated across Gujarat, it is at its most exciting in Ahmedabad. The International Kite Festival held here is regarded as one of the largest of its kind. Months before Uttarayan, households across the state begin preparing and manufacturing kites.
Today, kite-making has grown into a serious industry. It has even attracted corporate interest, as kites offer a unique and cost-effective branding opportunity. Traditional Uttarayan kites are made from lightweight paper and bamboo, usually rhombus-shaped with a central spine and a single bow. The festival provides a major boost to the kite industry, which employs nearly three lakh people. A visit to the famous Patang (Kite) Bazaar late at night leaves no doubt about Ahmedabad’s obsession with kites. Streets overflow with eager buyers negotiating prices, laughing, and shopping through the night. During the Uttarayan week, the Patang Bazaar remains open 24 hours a day.
Colourful and shiny toys often accompany the kites, adding to the festive charm. On Uttarayan, Ahmedabad’s sky is filled with kites of every size and shape, creating an unforgettable spectacle. Similar scenes unfold in cities like Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, and Jamnagar, where thousands of kites fill the skies as people enjoy two full days of celebration from their rooftops. The vibrant display resembles a sky adorned with countless fluttering birds.
On this day, streets appear almost deserted as people gather on rooftops to fly kites. In Gujarat, a special winter delicacy called undhiyo is prepared—a mix of seasonal vegetables, beans, and roots that defines the flavour of the festival. Regardless of one’s background or beliefs, anyone in Gujarat on January 14 is sure to find themselves flying kites, sharing laughter, and becoming part of the collective joy.
