Uttarayan 2027 in Surat: Kite Festival Guide
Uttarayan 2027 is on Thursday 14 January, with Vasi Uttarayan on Friday 15 January, and Gujarat observes the two days as holidays. For those two days Surat moves to its rooftops. Kite flying starts before sunrise and carries on until dark, with music on the terraces, shouts of 'kai po che' when a kite is cut, and tukkals, lit paper lanterns, in the evening sky. The food is as fixed as the date: undhiyu with puri, jalebi and chikki, and ponk, the roasted tender sorghum that is in peak season in December and January. Surat has a special place in the festival because its manja, the glass-coated cutting thread, is sought after across Gujarat, and the old-city kite lanes stay open late in the week before. The state's International Kite Festival, held since 1989 with Ahmedabad as its main venue, runs in the days before Uttarayan; the 2027 schedule, including any Surat event, had not been announced when this was written. By the panchang, Makar Sankranti in 2027 falls on 15 January, because the sun enters Capricorn at 9:14 pm on the 14th. The Science Centre and the Surat Fort close for Uttarayan. This page lists kite festival events, terrace parties and Uttarayan food events in Surat.
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Good to know
- Use cotton thread. Chinese and nylon manja are banned in Gujarat because they kill birds and injure riders.
- If you ride a two-wheeler on 14–15 January, cover your neck and face and keep your speed down; stray thread across roads causes serious injuries every year.
- For an injured bird, call the state's animal helpline, 1962. The government's Karuna Abhiyan runs rescue centres through the festival.
- Avoid flying in the early morning and around dusk, when birds are most active.
- Keep children away from terrace edges, and never chase a cut kite onto the road.
- Order undhiyu and jalebi a day ahead; many farsan shops take advance orders for the 14th.
Frequently asked questions
When is Uttarayan 2027?
Uttarayan is celebrated in Gujarat on 14 January every year, with Vasi Uttarayan on 15 January. In 2027 those are a Thursday and a Friday.
Is the International Kite Festival held in Surat?
The state festival is centred on Ahmedabad in the days before Uttarayan. The 2027 schedule, including any Surat event, had not been announced when this was written.
What do people eat on Uttarayan in Surat?
Undhiyu with puri, jalebi, chikki and ponk, usually on the terrace between rounds of kite flying.
Is glass-coated manja legal?
Gujarat bans Chinese and nylon thread every year. Check the state and police notifications issued in early January for the exact rules on other coated threads.
Are attractions open on Uttarayan?
The Science Centre and the Surat Fort list Uttarayan among their closed holidays. Malls and many restaurants stay open.
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