Uttarayan Celebration in Gujarat: 1.4 Lakh Kilos of Undhiyu Worth ₹8 Crore & Massive Jalebi Sales Across 4 Major Cities

The Uttarayan festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm across Gujarat. On this day, people typically enjoy a traditional meal of undhiyu and khichdi, made from green vegetables, as part of the Makar Sankranti celebrations. Eating undhiyu on January 14th holds great significance. 

It is estimated that Gujaratis living in cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, and Vadodara will consume over 1 lakh 40 thousand kilos of undhiyu. This year, there has been an increase in the price of undhiyu, ranging from ₹50 to ₹100. Additionally, in Ahmedabad, around 25 to 30 thousand kilos of jalebi are expected to be sold, with the price reaching up to ₹800 per kilo.

Ahmedabad’s Feast: Undhiyu and Jalebi Consumption Soars

This year, Ahmedabad residents will enjoy undhiyu priced between ₹450 to ₹650 per kilo. It is estimated that around 35 to 40 thousand kilos of undhiyu will be consumed by Ahmedabadis. 

Along with undhiyu, the sale of jalebi is also expected to reach impressive numbers. Traders predict that 25 to 30 thousand kilos of jalebi will be sold in the city this year, continuing the festive tradition.

Price Hike: Undhiyu and Jalebi Cost Rises in Ahmedabad

Krunalbhai Thakkar, the owner of the renowned Das Khaman in Ahmedabad, stated that this year, the prices of raw materials and vegetables have increased compared to last year, leading to a ₹40 rise in the price of undhiyu. Last year, the price was ₹480 per kilo, but this year, customers will have to pay ₹520 for undhiyu from Das Khaman. 

Additionally, the price of jalebi has surged to ₹800 per kilo. The increased daily wages of laborers needed to handle raw materials and vegetables are also contributing to the price hike, which will be passed on to customers. Most places have seen an increase of ₹30 to ₹40 in the price of undhiyu compared to last year.

Rising Demand for Undhiyu, Jalebi, and Other Snacks During Uttarayan

During the two days of Uttarayan, most people in Gujarat prefer to stay at dhabas rather than preparing meals at home. Instead of cooking breakfast and dinner, people opt for ready-made food from outside. As a result, the demand for not just undhiyu and jalebi, but also various snacks has increased. 

Items like lilwa kachori, navtadna samosa, khaman, sev khamani, and spring rolls are being sold in large quantities. In addition to Ahmedabad’s famous shops, numerous small and large stalls also sell undhiyu and jalebi. It is estimated that around 35 to 40 thousand kilos of undhiyu will be sold during this festive period.

Chandravilas Restaurant Predicts High Sales for Undhiyu, Jalebi, and Fafda During Uttarayan

Malav Joshi, the owner of Ahmedabad’s oldest and most famous Chandravilas Restaurant, shared that during the two days of Uttarayan, the restaurant expects to sell between 125 to 150 kilos of undhiyu. 

In addition to undhiyu, the sale of jalebi and fafda will also see significant demand. It is estimated that up to 150 kilos of jalebi will be sold this year. At Chandravilas Restaurant, the price of undhiyu is ₹600 per kilo, while jalebi is priced at ₹1000 per kilo.

Estimated 30,000 Kilos of Undhiyu Sales in Vadodara During Uttarayan

Balakrishna Shah, a snack vendor in Vadodara, highlighted the significance of eating undhiyu and jalebi during Uttarayan. In the festive city of Vadodara, it is estimated that between 25,000 to 30,000 kilos of undhiyu will be sold over the two days of the festival. Along with undhiyu, thousands of kilos of jalebi will also be sold. 

Vadodara will offer various types of undhiyu, including Gujarati, Punjabi, Kathiawadi, and Matla styles. Additionally, many people are now placing online orders for undhiyu and jalebi to enjoy at home.

Surti Undhiyu: A Popular Delicacy in Gujarat During Uttarayan

Surat is known for its vibrant celebrations, with the people of Surat being festive and enthusiastic about every occasion. During Uttarayan, they celebrate the festival for two full days, during which they consume crores of rupees’ worth of undhiyu. 

The people of Surat not only enjoy flying kites during this festival but also prefer to indulge in undhiyu throughout the day. Surti undhiyu, which is famous across Gujarat, is made with ingredients like green papdi, potatoes, yam, sweet potato, purple yam, green peas, eggplant, and fenugreek muthiya, creating a flavorful vegetable dish.

Massive Lines at Stores for Undhiyu During Uttarayan in Surat

Before flying kites on Uttarayan, people in Surat rush to stores to buy undhiyu. Huge lines can be seen at stores in every neighborhood. The saying “Surat’s food and Kashi’s death” is a popular phrase, highlighting Surat’s love for food. Surat residents are known for their passion for food, especially during winter when they consume undhiyu in large quantities. 

While some people prepare undhiyu at home, many prefer ordering it from hotels and restaurants. During the Uttarayan festival, eating undhiyu has become a tradition in Surat, celebrated by people of all religions with great enthusiasm. This year, the demand for undhiyu is exceptionally high during the festival.

Season for Eating Green Vegetables: Undhiyu’s Popularity Expands Beyond Surat

Nitin Bhajiyawala, a local vendor, shared that undhiyu is a special dish for the people of Surat. It is from Surat that undhiyu became popular not only in India but also abroad. Winter is considered the season for eating green vegetables, and with the start of flights to Dubai, passengers often buy undhiyu to take with them. 

On average, ten customers daily purchase undhiyu from us to carry on flights to Dubai. Due to an increase in the price of green vegetables, the cost of undhiyu has risen by ₹100 per kilo this year. Apart from Surat, orders have also come from other cities. Some people have even sent undhiyu to their loved ones in Dubai and the U.S.

30,000 Kilos of Undhiyu Expected to be Sold in Rajkot During Uttarayan

The vibrant and festive people of Rajkot are known for celebrating all festivals with great enthusiasm. The festival of Makar Sankranti is no exception, as people in most households prepare undhiyu and khichdo made from green vegetables. It is estimated that the people of Rajkot will consume around 30,000 kilos of undhiyu in just one day during Uttarayan. Undhiyu will be served in most homes on large platters.

Ghanshyambhai, a vendor at Matuki Restaurant on Kalavad Road in Rajkot, mentioned in an interview with Divya Bhaskar that every year, people prefer eating undhiyu on Makar Sankranti. This year, there has been no significant price increase for undhiyu, but there has been a 5% rise in the cost of Matla undhiyu. Undhiyu will be sold at three different locations in the city: Kalavad Road, Vavdi, and District Panchayat Chowk, starting from 9 a.m. Matuki’s special Matka Undhiyu is made using traditional methods, where vegetables are stuffed in a clay pot and steamed. The price of one kilo of Matla Undhiyu has increased by ₹40, from ₹440 last year to ₹480 this year.

In addition to undhiyu, their special dishes like green wheat pong from their special recipe, seven-grain khichdo, and saffron jalebi are also very popular. As a result, people gather early in the morning to buy these items. It is expected that more than 25,000 to 30,000 kilos of undhiyu will be consumed in Rajkot on the festival day. The general price of undhiyu ranges from ₹300 to ₹320 per kilo.