AHMEDABAD: Terraces have already been washed clean, a plethora of kites of different colours and sizes have been purchased and prepped, extension cords have been pulled out from the corner of the house, playlist readied and speakers tested for performance; shopping for hats, glares and summery casuals – check and preparations for lip-smacking meals and snacks – all done. Come Uttarayan and the city is invariably soaked in fun-filled festivities.While people usually make plans with their friends and loved ones to celebrate Uttarayan; there are some who invariably celebrate the festival in the pols of Ahmedabad.“My cousins have come from Rajkot specially to enjoy Uttarayan in Ahmedabad. We went to the riverfront to witness the Kite Festival and will be celebrating Uttarayan in a pol for some part of the day and the rest of the day at home,” said Bhargav K, a software engineer.Terraces of pol homes were up for grabs weeks ahead of the festival and this time around, it is not just for Uttarayan and Vasi Uttarayan but also a couple of days from before that. “This time around many of the terraces in our pol have been rented out to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Moreover, major celebrations have been organized by Baghban Haveli and the French Haveli,” said Pushpa Panchal, a resident of Pana Nagar ni Khadki in Dhal ni Pol.“Pol residents however, choose to be in the pol to make merry. For many avid kite flyers, the day begins as early as 7am while people in most homes are seen on terraces by noon,” she added.Since Uttarayan also falls during the harvest season, undhiyu along with puri and other delicacies is an integral part of the menu across most homes. Sing paak, til chikki and mamra laddoos along with fresh fruits such a guava, sugarcane and Indian plum (ber) are also relished by one and all.

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