14 January is auspicious all over India. In different parts of the country Uttarayan has different names –– but what they all have in common is that this is a day of celebration; a harvest festival that is important for Indians all over. What are the different ways India celebrates; in particular what is the significance of flying kites on this day?
In Gujarat it is known as Uttrann or Uttarayan, it is Makarsaktranti in North India, Maharashtra and other parts of India, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Magh Bihu in Assam and so on.
In Gujarat, Uttrann or Uttarayan marks the start of the northward movement of the sun. After being indoors for winter, it is good for people to get out in the sun. It is also usually a windy time of the year. These are probably some of the reasons why Uttrayan came to be associated with kite flying. It used to be a pastime of royalty; it is now very much a common man’s festival.
Everyone is on their rooftops and terraces, there is music and food and an almost party atmosphere! Everyone celebrates, regardless of religious faith or creed. The kites are flown and a keen rivalry ensues to see who can cut the most while safeguarding their own kite most successfully. Ahmedabad also has a yearly kite flying festival on the Sabarmati riverfront which attracts participants from all over the world.
Many other parts of India apart from Gujarat also have the tradition of kite flying on Makarsakranti. Pictured here are the people of Indore marking the day with kite flying.
In Uttar Pradesh, this day of January is also called Kicheri and is marked by ritual bathing in the Ganga. Reportedly about 20 lakh devotees took the icy plunge to mark the festival.
Sweets made from sesame seeds and jaggery are traditionally made and served around this time. Maharashtrians exchange sweets and tell each other “god god ghya, god god bola” – which translates to ‘eat sweet, speak sweet’.
This unique rooftop festival means that everyone one is out in the fresh air and enjoying themselves with their dear ones; not with their gadgets for a change!
Sometimes the rivalry becomes altogether too keen. They are all keeping count: how many kites were flown, how many cut, how many collected and who shouted ‘lapet’ (wrapping the spool) the loudest.
The kites are in every hue imaginable – the phuddi, dhaal, cheel, chanddar and more. Then there is the manjha (thread on the spool); also bright and colourful.
The use of abrasive and glass treated string for kites is dangerous for birds and animals, nests, trees as well as for people and vehicular traffic. Each year there is a call for a gentler, more responsible kite flying festival.
…Even Spidey is not safe during Uttran; #MakarSankranti2018!
It is one of the features of India – the many, many festivals that we have and enthusiastically celebrate! Soon it will be Republic Day, then Holi, then Good Friday, then Eid… may we always have something to rejoice!
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
