Life & Living

Revisiting Shakrain

This is no longer a small festival for the urbanites of Dhaka. The end of Poush, the ninth month of the Bengali Calendar, falls on January 14 and heralds a celebration filled with paper lanterns, fireworks, and of course kites — all cocooned as Shakrain. The same day is also celebrated, but in different manners across India, Nepal, Laos and Cambodia. Yet, the one in Bangladesh has its own flair.

While it is one of the oldest festivals held in Dhaka, carried over from the Mughal times, the gusto of celebration is best seen at the old parts of Dhaka. On the day of the festival, the skies of Old Dhaka are dotted with kites reaching for the farthest edges of the heavens and battling it out with other contenders for dominance!

One can get lost with the variety of kites and the displayed techniques can mesmerise the onlookers. Of course, practice runs are already on the way as kites are being prepped and the threads are being sharpened to swiftly take down soaring opponents!

But the festivity does not halt with the setting of the sun. The night skies become lit with fireworks and across the roofs, bold displays of fire breathing and other flame stunts are seen. If you cannot get enough of fireworks and itching for an occasion to see more this January, do not miss this evening.

Celebrations aside, the event as a whole stand as a symbol of unity and friendship for the coming days. Winter being one of the most comfortable times of the year in this region, this is a befitting celebration to enjoy with friends and family throughout the years.

 

Photo: Mannan Mashhur Zarif 

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Revisiting Shakrain

This is no longer a small festival for the urbanites of Dhaka. The end of Poush, the ninth month of the Bengali Calendar, falls on January 14 and heralds a celebration filled with paper lanterns, fireworks, and of course kites — all cocooned as Shakrain. The same day is also celebrated, but in different manners across India, Nepal, Laos and Cambodia. Yet, the one in Bangladesh has its own flair.

While it is one of the oldest festivals held in Dhaka, carried over from the Mughal times, the gusto of celebration is best seen at the old parts of Dhaka. On the day of the festival, the skies of Old Dhaka are dotted with kites reaching for the farthest edges of the heavens and battling it out with other contenders for dominance!

One can get lost with the variety of kites and the displayed techniques can mesmerise the onlookers. Of course, practice runs are already on the way as kites are being prepped and the threads are being sharpened to swiftly take down soaring opponents!

But the festivity does not halt with the setting of the sun. The night skies become lit with fireworks and across the roofs, bold displays of fire breathing and other flame stunts are seen. If you cannot get enough of fireworks and itching for an occasion to see more this January, do not miss this evening.

Celebrations aside, the event as a whole stand as a symbol of unity and friendship for the coming days. Winter being one of the most comfortable times of the year in this region, this is a befitting celebration to enjoy with friends and family throughout the years.

 

Photo: Mannan Mashhur Zarif 

Comments