Uttarayan: Ahmedabad’s kite festival
On Makar Sankranti the whole city climbs onto its roofs and the sky fills with kites.
Uttarayan marks the sun’s move northward on Makar Sankranti, and in Gujarat it means one thing: kites. From dawn on 14 January, families, friends and neighbours crowd the rooftops of Ahmedabad with stacks of paper kites and spools of manja — glass-coated string — and spend the day trying to cut each other’s lines. The cry “kai po che!” rings out every time a kite falls.
The International Kite Festival
In the days around Uttarayan, the state hosts the International Kite Festival, usually on the Sabarmati Riverfront. Kite flyers from dozens of countries bring giant, sculptural kites, and the grounds fill with food stalls and craft sellers. Check the official tourism calendar for exact dates each year.
How to join in
- Buy kites and string in the old city — the Patang Bazaar around Raipur and Delhi Darwaza runs day and night before the festival.
- Ask your hotel about rooftop access; many heritage havelis host terrace parties.
- Wear gloves or tape your fingers — manja is sharp.
- At night, sky lanterns (tukkal) float up from the roofs.
What to eat
Uttarayan is undhiyu season — a slow-cooked winter vegetable dish eaten with puris — plus sesame and peanut chikki, jalebi and sugarcane. Expect long queues at famous farsan shops on the morning of the 14th.
Safety
Kite string can injure people and birds. Ride two-wheelers carefully, watch for low-hanging string, and support bird-rescue camps that operate across the city during the festival.
What the festival means
Makar Sankranti celebrates the sun entering Capricorn (Makar) and the end of the winter solstice period, when days start to lengthen. Across India it is a harvest festival with many local names. In Gujarat it is called Uttarayan — the sun’s northward journey — and kites, symbolising thanksgiving and the spirit rising towards the sun, have been part of it for generations. The day after, Vasi Uttarayan on 15 January, is a second full day of flying.
A day on the rooftops
Families start before sunrise. Terraces fill with music systems, stacks of kites, chikki, sugarcane and flasks of tea. Neighbours challenge each other across the lanes in kite fights: the aim is to cut your rival’s string with your own glass-coated manja. When a kite falls, children race through the streets to catch it. By late afternoon the sky is so full of colour that it is hard to see where one kite ends and the next begins. After dark, paper sky lanterns — tukkal — rise into the night.
Patang Bazaar: where to buy kites
In the week before the festival, the old city’s kite market around Raipur Darwaza, Delhi Darwaza and Teen Darwaza stays open day and night. Thousands of stalls sell kites in every size and colour, and string-makers coat cotton thread with rice paste and powdered glass on the street. Prices are low and bargaining is expected. Ask for a beginner’s set — lighter kites and less abrasive string — if you have never flown before.
The International Kite Festival
Organised by Gujarat Tourism, the International Kite Festival brings flyers from around the world to Ahmedabad, usually on the Sabarmati Riverfront event grounds in the days just before 14 January. Expect giant inflatable and 3D kites, team displays, handicraft stalls and food courts. Entry is typically free; check the official programme for dates and timings.
Where to stay for Uttarayan
- Old City havelis — the best rooftops and the most atmosphere; book months ahead.
- Riverfront and Ellisbridge — easy access to the festival grounds and the old city.
- Navrangpura and CG Road — lively residential rooftops; many hotels host terrace events.
- SG Highway — quieter and better value, but 30–40 minutes from the action.
Festival food
Undhiyu — a slow-cooked mix of winter vegetables, beans and fenugreek dumplings — is the dish of the day, eaten with puri and jalebi. Til-gud chikki (sesame and jaggery brittle), peanut chikki, roasted sweet potatoes and sugarcane are everywhere. Famous farsan shops have queues from early morning, so order your undhiyu the day before.
Responsible flying
Glass-coated string and the banned Chinese nylon variety injure many birds and two-wheeler riders each year. Use cotton manja, avoid flying near main roads, and support the bird-rescue camps that volunteers and the forest department run across the city. Drivers often fit wire guards to bikes; pedestrians should watch for low string at neck height.
Plan your dates
Uttarayan is always on 14 January, with Vasi Uttarayan on the 15th. Arrive by the 12th to enjoy the Patang Bazaar and the International Kite Festival, and stay until the 16th to avoid travel rush. Combine your trip with Adalaj stepwell, Modhera Sun Temple or a day in Gandhinagar.
Practical tips for visitors
For those visiting Ahmedabad during Uttarayan, plan accommodation well in advance, as the festival draws many travellers. Rooftops are the prime spots for kite flying, so ask your host or hotel about access. The city's transport can be busy, with roads closed near major kite-flying areas. Use the metro or walk for short distances. Carry water and sunscreen, as afternoons can be warm. Kite flying involves sharp strings, so wear gloves and keep a first-aid kit handy. Children should be supervised. The festival is family-friendly, with a lively atmosphere. Avoid flying kites near power lines or tall structures. Check local news for any restrictions on kite materials, as some areas ban synthetic strings. Enjoy the spectacle from a safe vantage point.
The city buzzes with activity, so plan travel in advance. For those visiting Ahmedabad during Uttarayan, plan accommodation well in advance, as the festival draws many travellers. Rooftops are the prime spots for kite flying, so ask your host or hotel about access. The city's transport can be busy, with roads closed near major kite-flying areas. Use the metro or walk for short distances. Carry water and sunscreen, as afternoons can be warm. Kite flying involves sharp strings, so wear gloves and keep a first-aid kit handy. Children should be supervised. The festival is family-friendly, with a lively atmosphere. Avoid flying kites near power lines or tall structures. Check local news for any restrictions on kite materials, as some areas ban synthetic strings. Enjoy the spectacle from a safe vantage point.
Understanding the kite festival
The International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad is a highlight of Uttarayan, attracting participants from around the world. It typically includes kite-making workshops, where you can learn traditional techniques, and competitions for the best kite design. The event is held at a central location, often the Sabarmati Riverfront, and is free to attend. It runs for a day or two around 14 January. The festival also features cultural performances, food stalls, and exhibitions on kite history. It is a chance to see kites of all shapes and sizes, from simple paper ones to elaborate creations. For the best experience, arrive early to secure a good spot. The event is well-organised, with security and amenities. Check the official schedule for exact dates and timings before you go.
The International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad is a highlight of Uttarayan, attracting participants from around the world. It typically includes kite-making workshops, where you can learn traditional techniques, and competitions for the best kite design. The event is held at a central location, often the Sabarmati Riverfront, and is free to attend. It runs for a day or two around 14 January. The festival also features cultural performances, food stalls, and exhibitions on kite history. It is a chance to see kites of all shapes and sizes, from simple paper ones to elaborate creations. For the best experience, arrive early to secure a good spot. The event is well-organised, with security and amenities. Check the official schedule for exact dates and timings before you go.