Kite-flying marks Uttarayan celebration in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD - The skies turned multi-hued as people across Ahmedabad, like elsewhere in the state, flew multi-hued kites in celebration of the Uttarayan harvest festival Thursday.

The festival, which is celebrated as Makar Sankranti in the north, Pongal in south and Bihu in east, was observed with fervour and excitement - bringing together families, friends and relatives.

A range of food items like undhiyu, jalebis, laddoos and chikki were prepared in homes and feasted upon by the revellers.

However the highlight of the festival was the flying of kites, which starts around a week before the main day.

State Tourism Secretary Vipul Mitra said: “Uttarayan is celebrated across the state, cutting across all barriers of caste and creed. In Ahmedabad, the population is around six million, and the number of kites in the sky on this day will be at least four million!”

Special kite markets which spurt up across the city a good two weeks before the festival do brisk business on the occasion. Selling a range of kites - of different sizes and colours - the markets see kite makers from across the country like Delhi and Madhya Pradesh come here during the festival.

Cashing in on the popularity of the festival and using it to promote the state’s tourism, the Gujarat government started celebrating the international kite festival Jan 10-14 every year. This year it was the 20th edition of the festival.