Uttarayan: Gujarat's Kite Festival

Uttarayan is one of Gujarat's most beloved festivals. Unlike most festivals it follows the Sun rather than a tithi, and Gujarat celebrates it on 14 January every year.

It marks Makar Sankranti, the Sun's entry into Makar rashi. That entry now happens on 14 or 15 January, and even in the years it falls on the 15th, Gujarat's kites fly on the 14th. The name Uttarayan means the Sun's northward journey; because the equinoxes have slowly drifted over the centuries, that journey now astronomically begins at the winter solstice, around 21 December. The sky fills with kites, and every home makes undhiyu, jalebi and til chikki.

The following day is Vasi Uttarayan, a whole second day of kite flying!