Uttarayan

A day on the terrace

Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) marks the sun's move north, and Gujarat celebrates it in the sky. Families are on the terrace from early morning with firki, manja and stacks of kites, and every cut kite brings a loud "kai po che!" from the neighbouring roof. Many families celebrate Vasi Uttarayan the next day too, and in the evening the sky fills with tukkal lanterns.

What's on the plate

Til and peanut chikki, mamra ladoo, sugarcane, bor and jamfal are passed around all day, and lunch is usually undhiyu with puri and jalebi. Til and jaggery are central to the day, and it is also a day of daan — sharing food and grain with those in need.

How DeshÉ fits in

Uttarayan falls in the coldest weeks of the Gujarati winter, when homes traditionally keep paks in the tin.

• Adadiya Pak — urad flour, ghee, gond and spices; a Kutchi and Kathiawadi winter classic.
• Masala Pak — sonth, gond, ganthoda, dry fruit, ghee and jaggery, traditionally enjoyed for warmth through the cold mornings.
• Khajur Pak and Protein Ball — easy, no-added-sugar bites to keep on the terrace through a long day of flying.

Gifting ideas

A box of winter paks makes a thoughtful Sankranti gift for elders. Enquire before the first week of January — this is our busiest pak season.