Archive · 13 Jan 2026
Uttarayan Festival Celebrations Across Gujarat
The Uttarayan festival, also known as Makar Sankranti, is being celebrated across Gujarat with great enthusiasm.
In Vadodara, the International Kite Festival brought together kite flyers from all over the world, showcasing colorful and unique kites.
The festival embodied the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family).
Meanwhile, in Ahmedabad, rooftops in the old city are being rented out for kite flying, decorated with colorful balloons and traditional items.
Local businesses, including street food vendors, see a significant boost in sales during this time.
In the Dilli Darwaza area, migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh are busy making manjha (kite strings) for the festival.
The process involves applying a paste of rice flour, glass powder, and dyes to cotton threads, which causes deep cuts on their hands.
Despite the hardships, these workers earn a living during the festival season.
Politicians like Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel are also participating in the celebrations, offering prayers and flying kites with party workers and family.
The International Kite Festival in Vadodara featured over 160 kite flyers from India and abroad, showcasing unique and colorful kites.
Rooftops in Old Ahmedabad are being rented out for Uttarayan, decorated with colorful balloons and traditional items, attracting wealthy residents and tourists.
Migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh in Ahmedabad's Dilli Darwaza area make manjha (kite strings) for the festival, enduring deep cuts on their hands from the process.
Local businesses, including street food vendors, experience a significant boost in sales during the Uttarayan festival.
Politicians like Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel are participating in the Uttarayan celebrations, offering prayers and flying kites with party workers and family.
- Who
- Kite flyers, migrant manjha-makers, tourists, local residents, politicians
- What
- Celebrations of Uttarayan festival, including kite flying and manjha-making
- When
- January 14 (Uttarayan/Makar Sankranti)
- Where
- Gujarat, India (Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Dilli Darwaza)
- Why
- To celebrate the traditional festival of Uttarayan, which includes kite flying and cultural activities
- Festival
- Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti)
- Location
- Gujarat, India (Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Dilli Darwaza)
- International Kite Festival
- Vadodara
- Participants
- Over 160 kite flyers from India and abroad
- Countries Represented
- Australia, UK, Brazil, South Africa, Thailand
- Indian States Represented
- Bihar, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and others
- Traditional Dish
- Unjha Jalebi
- Manjha-Makers
- Migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh
- Manjha-Making Process
- Involves applying a paste of rice flour, glass powder, and dyes to cotton threads
- Manjha-Makers' Earnings
- Rs 700-800 per day
- Political Participation
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel
Sources
Heritage for hire: Uttarayan draws big spenders to Old Ahmedabad’s rooftops
Pink palms and deep cuts that don’t heal for months: Migrant manjha-makers of Ahmedabad’s Dilli Darwaza
International Kite Festival: Kite flyers from across the globe mesmerise audience in Vadodara
