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Ahmedabad, popularly known as the ‘Kite Capital of Gujarat’, is an extremely vibrant and lively city. The city becomes even more joyous as the new year rolls in. This is because it plays host to the ‘International Kite Festival’ on the occasion of Makar Sakranti, also called Uttarayan. The festival welcomes people from all over the world and the city gets bustling more than ever. If you are living in Ahmedabad as a student or moving here soon to pursue your higher studies, then you are surely in for an amazing and fun-filled time, especially during the festive season. 

The festivities of Makar Sakranti are elaborate in Ahmedabad, to say the least, and here is a complete rundown of what you can expect during Uttarayan or Makar Sakranti in Ahmedabad.

International Kite Festival

Makar Sakranti in the state of Gujarat is celebrated as Uttarayan and the state is a delight to be in at this time. For the same occasion, Ahmedabad hosts the International Kite Festival at a large ground located just near the Sabarmati River Bank. You can observe a large number of kites in all various shapes, colours and sizes in the sky not just at the festival itself but also in the days leading up to it. Not just kites but huge inflated floats are also present at this festival and if you are staying in a PG in Ahmedabad, then taking a trip to the site of this festival will surely be worth it. You can also enjoy several food stalls, traditional crafts stalls, yoga activities, exhibitions and other cultural activities at the festival.

Shopping Before The Festivities 

Famous markets of Ahmedabad such as Raipur Patang Bazaar and Jamaalpur, light up in preparation for the kite festival with much zeal and enthusiasm. You can buy a variety of kites along with the ‘manjha’, the thread used to fly a kite. These markets become extremely busy during the eve of Uttarayan. If you or either of your college buddies is a photography enthusiast, visiting these markets will provide you with immense colourful content. 

Amazing Delicacies To Indulge in 

To celebrate the festival, every other household in Ahmedabad prepares a special dish known as Undhiyu, made up of mixed vegetables and served with puri and shrikhand. Other Gujrati delicacies including dhokla, khandvi, thepla, fafda, ladoo,chkki and badam patti are also enjoyed during this festival. If you are in mood for these snacks, then you can head to the bustling street markets of Ahmedabad including Manek Chowk and Law Garden.

Partying While Flying Kites

Every rooftop is a party during the Uttarayan festival in Ahmedabad. Amidst the shouts of ‘Kai Po Che’, you can find numerous people flying kites while partying it up with music and good food. Almost everyone participates in the cutting and collecting of the other kites in the neighbourhood. The experience and the vibe of the city during the day is unmatched and as you head out to explore it during the day or even participate in the kite flying yourself, you are bound to have a memorable time.

Firewords and Tukkals To End The Day

If you thought that the festivities are packed within the day time, you can’t be more wrong. The people of Ahmedabad get even more creative as the day closes by tying paper lanterns also known as Tukkals to their kites and flying them, making the night sky light up in the most mesmerizing way. Not just the lighted paper lanterns but the nightsky also lights up with fireworks that go on until late in the night thus making the ending of the day as joyful as the whole day. 

For all students living away from home, celebrating festivals in a new city can be a unique experience which is unlike any other. If you are one of the students who have chosen Ahmedabad as your location for higher education but are yet to find the perfect accommodation, then you should surely check out the your-space single room PG in navarangpura and gota hostels which are designed specifically for you and offer you the feeling of a home away from home. With our amazing amenities and tech-savvy security measures, your stay in Ahmedabad is bound to be awesome without burning a hole in your pocket.