The Gujarat sky became colourful with kites on Wednesday and Thursday in the wake of Uttarayan and Vasi Uttarayan (stale Uttarayan!!!). It was not just kite flying but a festival in which the people of Gujarat celebrated Makar Sankranti with music, dance, sumptuous cuisine and lots of fireworks and firecrackers.
Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan was also in Ahmedabad on Wednesday to promote his upcoming film 'Shamitabh' along with other actors of the film. Just like any other Ahmedabadi, the mega star also went on the terrace to enjoy kite flying at Naranpura area of Ahmedabad. The festival of Uttarayan marks the day when the winter chill begins to descend according to the Hindu Gujarati calendar. It is the sign for farmers that the sun is back and that harvest season, called Makar Sankranti, is approaching. The serene blue sky wears a colorful look since morning with vivid splashes of colour of kites in a variety of hues, shapes and sizes. The excitement continues till the sun sets.
Over the past one decade, the festival has evinced interest amongst global tourists, courtesy the Gujarat Government, which is utilising the Uttarayan festivities by hosting International Kite Festival here. Apart from locals, expatriates settled in the State joined the parties on terraces, especially in old Ahmedabad city. During winter, a large number of NRIs visit their home State. They also celebrated the festival of kites with their relatives and friends.
"I had never imagined having great fun by flying kites along with terrific Gujarati cuisine," said Martina Clerk, an Australian, who is travelling to Gujarat. Since the past 16 years, Hemant Bhavsar, a resident of Baltimore in USA regularly visits Gujarat during Uttarayan along with his wife Bhavika and two sons Paras and Jay.
"Our family makes it a point to spend two days of January 14 and 15 on the terrace along with family and friends. Flying kites with Gujarati delicacies like Undhiyu, Puri, Chikki, Khaman Dhokla etc. is real fun," said Bhavsar, who hails from Vyara in South Gujarat. Ranging from Gujarati Garba, Bollywood numbers to western music only add more fun to the fiesta. Young people also flaunt their stylish shades, hats and tees. Frequent face washing and hair-combing goes on throughout the day. What started as a way to use leftover Diwali stock, has now become a custom - lighting up the dark sky with fancy fireworks on Uttarayan night. Skies of Ahmedabad and other major cities were sparkled with 'tukkal'(a kind of kite being aired without thread with the help of flame).
Nearly 3,000 mishaps related to kite-flying
In the two day long kite-flying festivities, one person died and 3,000 other mishaps occurred across Gujarat. One person died following injury on his neck due to string (Manja), when he was on his two-wheeler. Nearly 400 cases of injuries were reported in the State, according to Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) or 108 services. These mishaps also include road accidents, scuffle between various groups etc. More than 50 cases of falling from terraces have also been reported. Numerous cases of bird injuries and deaths due to string came to the fore, said EMRI officials.
11 hurt in Bharuch communal riot
At least three were killed and nearly 11 injured following clashes between two groups in Hansot town in Bharuch district of Gujarat on Wednesday. Scuffle began following dispute between two groups over catching kites. According to police, the injured persons were immediately shifted to hospitals. Since two groups were from different religion, the petty issue of catching the kites culminated into communal tension. Police had to use teargas shells to control wild mobs. State Reserve Police (SRP) has been deployed to maintain peace in the area.
Kamurta blues end
Every year, from December 15 to Uttarayan (January 14), people of Gujarat avoid auspicious rituals or do not start any new venture. Weddings are also avoided during this time of the year. This one month period is called - Kamurta. With the end to Kamurta blues, the marriage season will begin and many ventures will kick-start. According to Krishna Prasad Dave, a pandit muhurt for wedding, threading ceremony (Janoi), house warming (Vastu) etc. is starting from January 24. According to Dave, all other kinds of auspicious work can be done right from Makar Sankranti onwards.