Uttrayan-Makarsankranti...........the Gujarat way of Celebration.......................Unique Dariyai (sea) Utarayan at Khambhat

Hi Friends,

I know I am late, but I cant stop myself to write about Utarayan festival I have celebrated this time.

Generally, we Gujju people are more crazy about utarayan than Diwali and any other festival all over the year. Kites were flying 2 months ago almost every corner of Gujarat. Finally during the 14 & 15 January, all are present on their terrace, ground including small and elders for the whole day. In some cases till 2 AM, flying white kites and tukkal.

Now coming to my experience this year. This year Utarayan was on Friday, Vasi Utarayan on 15th Jan Saturday and 16th Jan was official holiday as sunday. So during these three days, I was in four different city of Gujarat, enjoying this festival in different mood.

• 14 Jan --in Gandhinagar(capital city of Gujarat) and Ahmedabad. 
• 15 Jan -- in Tarapur and Khambhat (one taluka place in Gujarat)
• 16 Jan -- in Khambhat whole day, enjoying Dariyaeee (sea) Utarayan. 

You all might know something more or less about utarayan in Ahmedabad or Gandhinagar, but in this article I am going to give you glimpse about Khambhat (cambay) Utarayan. This was the first time I have seen the Khambhat Utarayan. Some unique point about that;

• Khambhat is known for its kite making industry, speciall well fabricated kites that sells at above average price in market. Generally it is called "khambhati patang".
• I have seen people flying very large size kites all over the day. Generally here in other parts of Gujarat, we enjoy flying one big kite during the whole day and felt proud and satisfied. But in proper Khambhat the scene is different, almost all the people flies very very large kites continuously all over the day. 
• It is general tradition in Khambhat that people use to fly one kite with whole one Phirki. 
• They celebrate Dariyai (sea shore )Utarayan following Sunday of 14th January, so this year it was on 16 Jan. 
• On this day around 4 PM, almost all the people of Khambhat went to nearby sea shore, where currently salt has been produced. This continues to till 8 or 9 PM. 
• Just imagine four to 5 thousand people flying kites at one place, which includes more than 50% muslims and all are enjoying. Just see the below photographs to believe it. 
• It was like funfare with kites flying mandatory like thing. 
• There was no place to park our vehicle, police arrangement was adequate. 
• SALT agar (lake) were filled with Kites in water. It was like lake was producing kites instead of Salt. 
• During the Vasi Utarayan day (15 jan), after evening crackers were busted till the 11 PM continuously all over the Khambhat.  

In the end I would to have next Gujarat International Kite festival to be hosted at this place only,

• as it is perfectly suitable place for big kite flying (wind, space available and easy transportation)
• people were coming without invitation on that particular day. 
• We can promote Salt Agar tourism by this way. Central Gujarat tourism will be developed by this way.
• We can show the world how Muslims and Hindus are celebrating one festival with joy. 
• Local people will also participate with their giant kites. 

I do hope that Gujarat Government official take note of this event and organize next event at this place only like they has done this time at Mandvi and Tent city in Kutch.