AHMEDABAD: Patang and manja: Check. Music system, first aid box, sunglasses, hats and water: Check. Undhiyu-jalebi and chikki: Check.
Come Tuesday morning, Amdavadis, armed to the teeth, will march up to their terraces for a day-long battle of kites, which will see the city’s sky burst into a riot of colours.
War cries of ‘kai po che’ (I cut your kite) and ‘lapet’ (wind back your manja) directed at defeated opponents will fill the air, showcasing the special place Uttarayan holds in the hearts of enthusiastic Amdavadis. In this city, the excitement surrounding Uttarayan transcends the definition of a typical festival. It has all the ingredients of a perfect day out with family and friends, punctuated with some healthy competition, camaraderie, a display of deft kite-flying skills and of course, good food.
On Monday night, kitists thronged the Walled City’s traditional markets for last-minute bargains on panjas (sets of five kites), spools of kite thread and a good stock of kites ready with bridles (kinya), because preparation is key if one has to enjoy the festival to the fullest and win. Trumpets, sunglasses and hats completed the shopping list. Meanwhile, in their kitchens, delicious undhiyu was being cooked to be enjoyed on the big day.
In the world of high-rise apartments that boast of balconies with a view, the fun and glory of enjoying Uttarayan on the terrace is somewhat lost. To taste nostalgia and experience the old-world charm of celebrating Uttarayan the traditional way, there is no better venue than terraces of pol houses. Not only has the demand for terraces on rent in Ahmedabad soared, many Gujaratis from across India, and even non-resident Indians, (NRI) are heading to the pols to celebrate the festival from rooftops. Khadia and Dhal ni Pol will be hosting flocks of guests — from German visitors and doctors to chartered accountants and businessmen. Mayur Dave, councillor, Khadia ward, said, “I have received at least 30 inquiries from people in Mumbai and Pune who are willing to hire terraces in the pol and have referred them all to relevant stakeholders. Pol Uttarayan is gaining more popularity with each passing year, especially among people from outside Gujarat, and NRIs.”
Besides hosting ‘by invitation-only’ and ‘open-to-all’ events, many homeowners in pols rent out their terraces either on a per person basis or for groups of 15-20, depending on the size of the terrace.
Rentals have shot through the roof this year. What started at Rs 20,000 and rose to around Rs 60,000, shot up to as high as Rs1.2 lakh in the days leading up to Uttarayan.
Ajay Modi, a travel operator in the city, who too owns a haveli in the pol, said, “We have offered per person packages from Rs 3,000 onwards, and the response has been good. The idea is to let people experience the pol culture and enjoy the festival.”