Uttarayan, Gujarat's kite festival, with international kite flyers on the Sabarmati Riverfront each January.
Uttarayan on 14 January (Makar Sankranti) fills Ahmedabad skies with kites, and Gujarat Tourism stages an international festival with kite flyers from many countries on the Sabarmati Riverfront in the week beforehand. Visitors can watch, or buy kites and string from Old City markets such as Patang Bazaar. Rooftops in the pol houses of the walled city are the best locations. Sharp glass-coated string (manja) causes injuries to riders and birds; motorcyclists should protect their necks.
| Price | Free to watch; kites and string roughly INR 200-1,000 (USD 2-10) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 to 3 days |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Season | 7 to 14 January (Uttarayan on 14 January) |
| Address | Sabarmati Riverfront, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009 |
Activity facts
- Where
- Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad
Equipment
- Sunglasses and cap
- Sunscreen
- Cotton cloth to protect fingers from string
Location
Sabarmati Riverfront, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009
23.0328, 72.5714 View on map
Highlights
- International kite flyers on the riverfront
- Rooftop kite battles in the Old City pols
- Patang Bazaar kite shopping
- Undhiyu and chikki festival food
Tips for visiting
- Book Ahmedabad hotels months ahead; the festival period sells out.
- Wear a scarf over the neck if riding a motorbike or scooter.
- Watch the night skies on 13 and 14 January for lit kites.
- Confirm dates on gujarattourism.com.