The festival of Uttarayan is a distinctively Gujarati celebration, transforming the skies over the state with kites from dawn to dusk. Marking the transition from winter to summer in the Hindu calendar, known as Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan, the vibrant festival paralyzes routine activities as people across the state take to rooftops and roads to fly kites in various shapes and sizes, specially crafted with robust bamboo frames, and sharp glass-coated lines are prepared by favoured kite-makers. The event is lively, with competitions involving cutting each other’s kite strings, traditional foods, and social interactions. Since 1989, Ahmedabad has hosted the International Kite Festival during Uttarayan, attracting master kite makers worldwide to showcase their extraordinary creations.
