Kite flying, partying go together of Surtis on Uttarayan

Surat: The sale of kites and glass-coated thread (manja) in the Diamond City may not have picked up with just few days to go for Uttrayan, but many Surtis have begun planning on how to spend the day on rooftops and terraces with their friends and family.
Hiren Patel, a realtor from Parle Point has already planned two terrace parties on Sunday and Monday and invited friends and relatives to gorge on the Surti delicacies like undhiyu, ponk, chiki, salam pak and to name a few. Patel believes that Uttarayan is time for get together of families and friends.

Patel said, “Kite flying is an important gathering. However, it is the evening party which is more thrilling and exciting as three to four generations sit together and chat over lip-smacking food.”

Owner of a snack shop in Chauta Bazaar said, “We have received advance orders for the supply of more than 200kg Surti undhiyu for Uttrayan (January 14). The order is more than we we had received last year.”

The Surti undhyu, a preparation of vegetables like beans, sweet potatoes, potatoes, brinjal etc. cost anything between Rs 300 to Rs 500 per kilogram, depending on the quality and the ingredients used. Similarly, Surti ponk will also sell at premium during the Uttrayan festival.

Navneet Jariwala, resident in the walled city said, “We never buy undhiyu from outside. Women in the family prepare the delicacies along with sweets like ‘gajar ka halwa’, sukhdi, tal papdi and different varieties of chikki. However, the younger generation also enjoy jalebi along with undhyu, which we buy from the sweet shops.”

Jariawala’s place is crowded with close friends and their family members for the day long festivities.

A resident of Rander town, Illyas Patangwala said, “Though the buying is slow at present, I expect the customers to hit market in the last two days before the festival.”

Retail markets in Dabgarwad, Bhagal, Kot Safali Road and Rander is flocked by thousands of people to make last day purchase of manja and kites.

According to an estimate, during the festival of uttarayan, the sale of kite and manja records Rs 10 crore, but the sale of local food delicacies will far exceed the result.

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Bachhus head for watering hole Daman

Melvyn.ReggieThomas & HimanshuBhatt

Surat: With the Uttrayan festival falling over a weekend there are many bachhus in the Diamond City who have planned to visit the nearest watering hole in union territory of Daman to fly kites with cold beer and whiskey.

However, the bachhus are cautious this time when they go to Daman to enjoy the festival. The reason being that the Daman administration has issued orders prohibiting consumption of liquor in public places, including beaches.

Sources in Daman’s hotel sector stated that the hotels and guest house there have been booked for three days starting Saturday till the January 14. Most of the upmarket hotels in Daman have been offering special discounts to the customers to attract them on Uttrayan.

Rajit Patel, a realtor has been going to Daman on Uttarayan since last three years. This time around, Patel and his group of around 15 friends have already booked a sea-facing hotel to enjoy the festival.

Patel said, “There is prohibition in Daman to consume liquor in the public places. However, we will have our required quota in the hotel and then hit the beaches to fly the kites. I remember, drinking whiskey on the beach last year, while flying kites, but this year it is not possible.”

Secretary of Daman Hotel and Restaurant Association (DHRA), Harish Thangal said, “The tourists can come and enjoy drinks in the hotels and mini-bars, but not in the public places due to the orders issued by the Daman administration.”

Thangal added, “Almost all the hotels in Daman are packed ahead of Uttrayan festival.”