Skies filled with colourful kites, sounds of ‘Kai Po Che’, family and friends gathered on the terrace of the house, and mouth-watering food—this is what Ahmedabad looks like during Uttarayan. Uttarayan, the festival of kites, is widely celebrated in Gujarat and other parts of the country. It is also known as Makar Sankranti in the north, Pongal in the south, and Bihu in the northeast.
Uttarayan is not only meant for kite-flying dishes but also for daan (charity) and harvest of Kharif crops. The term ‘Uttarayan’ means northward movement. Uttarayan marks the beginning of the harvest period when the sun transitions to the north to mark the end of the winter solstice.
Coming back to the food, Gujaratis are fond of eating and celebrating. They spend their day in Uttarayan relishing delicious food like undhiyu, jalebi, chikki, and more.
Undhiyu Puri
Undhiyu is the staple dish in Gujarati homes during Uttarayan. It is made with seasonal vegetables, spices, and fenugreek dumplings (methi muthiya). The seasonal vegetables used are flat beans (surti papdi), tuvar lilva (pigeon peas), ratalu (yam), kand (purple yam), and other winter vegetables. Undhiyu authentically is made in an earthen pot sealed and dug upside down in the sand for hours. Hence, the name ‘Undhiyu’ comes from the term ‘Undhu’ meaning upside down. First, all the vegetables are fried separately and mixed with spices to make Undhiyu. The traditional method of cooking Undhiyu gives it a rusty and smoky flavour. It is made in different ways in different parts of Gujarat. There are mainly three types of Undhiyu - Surti, Kathiyawadi, and Matla Undhiyu. It is relished with piping hot puris and can be eaten alone as well. Since the vegetables are deep-fried, it stays good for 2-3 days.
Fafda Jalebi
We’ve all known Fafda Jalebi as a favourite breakfast of Jethalal from the popular SAB TV show, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. If you haven’t watched the show, let me tell you what Fafda Jalebi is. Fafda Jalebi is a popular breakfast dish in Gujarat. Fafda is a long and flat kind of chip made with besan (gram flour). It is accompanied by raw papaya chutney (papaya nu sambharo) and kadhi. Fafda is incomplete without Jalebi. Jalebi is a juicy and crispy sweet dish shaped like a spiral. It is made with all-purpose flour and gram flour batter, deep-fried in ghee, and coated with sugar syrup. Fafda and Jalebi are always eaten together. You can find this all year round.
Peanut Chikki
Peanut chikki is a popular winter delicacy made with peanuts and jaggery. While it is relished all around the winter season, peanut chikki is a must on the food list for Uttarayan. It has the right amount of crisp from peanuts and sweet flavour from jaggery. People munch on these healthy and crispy peanut bites while kite-flying to satiate their hunger. Beanut's peanut chikki is made of high-quality peanuts, which have a good amount of protein to keep you full of energy while flying kites on Uttarayan. It is available in small packs, which you can keep in your pocket or bag. It is easy to take around while travelling as well.
Sesame/Til Laddoos
Another winter delicacy that is nutritious and healthy is laddoos and sweets made of sesame seeds or til. Sesame seeds are first roasted, jaggery is added, and then they are rolled into laddoos or made flat to make til papdi. Sesame seeds or til come in two varieties - white and black sesame seeds. One of the popular snacks in winter, sesame laddoos are full of magnesium and calcium.
Khichdo
Khichdo is a not-so-popular Uttarayan dish but is traditionally made in Gujarati homes. It comes in both sweet and savoury versions. The sweet version is made with broken wheat with outer skin removed (dalia), milk, sugar, and dry fruits, while the savoury version of Khichdo is made with 5 grains (panch dhaan) or 7 grains (saat dhaan) along with vegetables. The savoury version includes grains like bajra, wheat, rice, whole moong, and moong dal. It is easy to make and even has seasonal vegetables like tuvar lilva, green peas, and more.
Kachariyu
Kachariyu is another underrated Gujarati sweet dish made with crushed black sesame seeds or til, gud or jaggery, saunth (dry ginger powder), ganthoda, dry coconut, and dry fruits. It is very healthy to eat in winter. It provides heat to the body in chilling winters and is full of Omega-3 fatty acids. It is usually eaten all around the winter but is specifically made on Uttarayan in Gujarati homes.
While you enjoy these Gujarati delicacies during Uttarayan, don’t forget to attend the International Kite Festival on Uttarayan in Ahmedabad.
Did you know?
The International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad was organised first in 1989 to make the festival renowned around the world.
History of kite-flying on Uttarayan
Uttarayan marks the end of the winter solstice and the sun rising and moving towards the north. Kite-flying is said to represent the end of winter, the sun rising, promising longer days, and the onset of spring. Kite-flying is also said to be beneficial for the body. When people are standing in the winter sun during kite-flying, it is said that it wards off infections and illnesses.
Beanut wishes you a happy Uttarayan. Stay safe and happy!