Uttarayan is Gujarat's celebration of Makar Sankranti, the day the sun begins its northward journey. It is also the state's biggest kite festival. Families gather on rooftops from dawn to dusk, rival kite strings are cut with shouts of excitement, and the whole state eats seasonal sweets and savouries. For visitors, it is one of the most photogenic and joyful festivals in India, if you plan around safety and local customs. This guide covers dates, where to experience it, what to eat and how to avoid the most common problems.
Uttarayan 2027 Dates
Makar Sankranti is generally celebrated on January 14, and in Gujarat the festival continues the next day, January 15, known as Vasi Uttarayan or stale Uttarayan, when people fly the remaining kites. Because the date follows the solar calendar, it is stable from year to year, but check local announcements and your accommodation for exact timing and any official kite events before booking. The Gujarat tourism department has traditionally organised an International Kite Festival in the days before Uttarayan, typically in Ahmedabad, with kite flyers from around the world. Check the official Gujarat Tourism programme for the 2027 schedule and venues.
Where to Experience Uttarayan
Ahmedabad old city (the pols)
The walled city's pols, closely packed residential lanes of old wooden houses, are the heart of the festival. Rooftops are shared by neighbours, music is loud, and kites are cut, caught and cheered. Access is easiest if you have a local host, a guided heritage walk or a homestay in the old city. Do not climb onto private rooftops without an invitation.
Sabarmati Riverfront and festival grounds
Organised kite events usually take place along the riverfront or at designated grounds. They are easier for visitors, with open space, food stalls and viewing areas, and are more comfortable for families and first-timers.
Other Gujarat cities
Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot also celebrate with enthusiasm, with their own rooftop traditions and markets. Choose one base and do not try to cover several cities in two days.
A Simple 3-Day Plan
Day 1: Arrive and explore
Arrive in Ahmedabad, walk through the old city's kite markets, buy a few kites and spools of string if you plan to fly, and visit a heritage site such as Sidi Saiyyed Mosque or the Calico Museum (check opening rules in advance).
Day 2: Uttarayan
Wake early, since kite flying starts at sunrise. Watch from a safe rooftop with a local host or at an organised venue, and eat traditional seasonal food. After sunset, you may see lit paper lanterns and fireworks in some areas.
Day 3: Vasi Uttarayan and departure
Enjoy the second day at a slower pace, visit a market or museum, and then depart. Leave extra time for transport, since roads and stations are busy.
Food: What to Eat During Uttarayan
- Undhiyu: a seasonal mixed-vegetable dish, slow-cooked with spices, a Gujarati winter speciality.
- Jalebi: crisp, syrupy spirals often eaten with fafda, a savoury gram flour snack, for breakfast.
- Chikki: a brittle made from sesame seeds, peanuts and jaggery, strongly associated with Makar Sankranti.
- Sugarcane, berries and seasonal fruit: sold from stalls during the festival.
Gujarat is largely vegetarian, and food is usually easy to find for vegetarians. If you have allergies, ask about nuts and sesame before you eat festival snacks.
Safety: The Most Important Section
Uttarayan is joyful, but it also carries real risks, and visitors should take them seriously.
- Kite string can injure. Some string is coated with powdered glass or other abrasives, and sharp string can injure people on two-wheelers and rooftops. Synthetic or nylon string is often banned or restricted, but illegal products still circulate. Avoid riding two-wheelers without protection during the festival, and keep your neck covered when you are outdoors.
- Rooftops can be dangerous. Avoid leaning over parapets, and avoid crowded or poorly maintained terraces.
- Falling kites and cut strings can cause accidents in the street. Look up, and do not chase kites into the road.
- Birds are at risk, particularly early and late in the day. Many local groups run bird rescue camps. If you find an injured bird, contact a local rescue service rather than handling it yourself.
- Heat, sun and dehydration are less severe in January, but long hours on a rooftop in the sun still call for sunscreen, a hat and water.
For general guidance on staying safe in busy Indian locations, read our scams and packing guide.
Where to Stay and When to Book
The old city has heritage guesthouses and boutique hotels in restored mansions, which are excellent for Uttarayan because they often have rooftop terraces. Book several months ahead, since demand peaks, and ask whether the property has a terrace, a host who will help you fly kites and policies on noise and security. If old-city rooms are sold out, choose a hotel near the riverfront or in a modern area and use taxis for visits. Confirm cancellation terms.
Getting There and Around
Ahmedabad has an international airport and a major railway station, with good connections to Mumbai, Delhi and other cities. During the festival, trains and flights fill up, and local traffic is heavy, particularly in the old city. Walk where you can and use app-based taxis or auto-rickshaws for longer trips; see our guide to using Uber in India and travelling around India.
What to Wear and Pack
January mornings and evenings in Gujarat can be cool, while afternoons are mild. Wear light layers, comfortable shoes, a hat or scarf and sunglasses. Keep your neck covered to protect against loose string, and bring sunscreen, a small first-aid kit, hand sanitiser and a power bank. See what to wear in India for more tips.
Combine It With Other January Festivals
Uttarayan falls on the same days as Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Lohri in the north. If you want to compare festivals in different regions, read our Pongal 2027 guide. If you prefer a longer Gujarat trip, add the white desert, described in our Rann Utsav guide.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking too late and being left far from the old city.
- Riding a scooter during peak kite hours.
- Climbing onto rooftops without an invitation or proper safety.
- Expecting shops and restaurants to stay open all day on the main festival day.
- Ignoring local advice on bird safety and kite string.
Final Checklist
- Dates and official events confirmed on the Gujarat Tourism website.
- Accommodation with a rooftop or reliable viewing plan booked early.
- Neck protection, sunscreen, water and a basic first-aid kit packed.
- A safe plan for transport on festival days.
If you want help planning Uttarayan with Ahmedabad's heritage sights and Gujarat's wider attractions, use the contact form below.
More Questions Visitors Ask About Uttarayan
Do I need to buy my own kite?
Not unless you want to fly. Kites and string are sold in old-city markets in the days before the festival. If you buy, choose legal, non-abrasive string, and ask your host or shopkeeper for guidance on technique.
How early should I start on the festival day?
Kite flying begins around sunrise and continues until dusk. Arrive early for the best light and the calmest conditions, and plan breaks since the day is long.
Can I watch without a local host?
Yes. Organised venues along the riverfront and festival grounds are open to visitors, and some hotels with terraces offer viewing. A guided heritage walk can also introduce you to local families.
Is Uttarayan suitable for solo travellers and families?
Yes, with sensible precautions. Stay at official venues or with a trusted host, avoid crowded roads, cover your neck outdoors and keep children away from loose string and rooftop edges.
What should I do if I find an injured bird?
Do not handle it unless necessary. Contact a local bird rescue service or ask your host for the nearest veterinary camp, since many are set up during the festival.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Uttarayan 2027?
It falls around January 14, 2027 (Makar Sankranti), with Vasi Uttarayan the next day. Confirm locally.
Where is the best place to see Uttarayan in Gujarat?
Ahmedabad's old city rooftops are the heart of the festival, and organised events on the Sabarmati Riverfront are easier for visitors.
What food is traditional for Uttarayan?
Undhiyu, jalebi with fafda, chikki and seasonal fruit.
Is Uttarayan safe for tourists?
It can be, with care. The main risks are sharp kite string, unsafe rooftops and road traffic. Avoid riding two-wheelers and cover your neck outdoors.
Do I need to book accommodation early?
Yes. Heritage stays in the old city fill up months ahead.
Can I fly a kite as a tourist?
Yes, if you have a safe location and a local host. Use legal, non-abrasive string and respect local rules.
