Dhaka gears up for Shakrain
Shakrain -- a festival most awaited in the neighbourhoods of the old town. Only a week is left, but the excitement is in the air of the "Puran Dhaka" alleys.
Shakrain is now not limited to the residents of Old Dhaka. It has become a festival for all the people of the capital, and even outside.
Like every year, the festival will be observed this year on January 14 and 15, to celebrate Makar Sankranti.
According to locals, eating pithas, made with new rice, and flying kites on the occasion are an age-old tradition.
With the passage of time, the festivities have changed as well. On the day of the festival, kites start flying above roofs of neighbourhoods, amid the morning mist. As the day progresses, the festivities take on new colours. The afternoon ends with a game of kite flying amidst the winter air, while the night sky is illuminated with fireworks and lanterns in the evening.
"Buro-Buri" puja will be held in temples on the afternoon of the festival as well.
Preparations for the festival were seen in Shankharibazar, Tantibazar, Laxmibazar, Narinda, Sutrapur and Lalbagh areas of Old Dhaka on Thursday. Kites and natai (kite reels) are also being sold at small neighbourhood shops.
Many have started a seasonal business of selling kites.
Asked if festivities would be any different due to the Covid situation, Hossain Adnan, who came to Shankharibazar to buy kites, said the risk of infection is lower as they celebrate the festival on the rooftops and among themselves.
According to the shopkeepers, kites of different designs and shapes, including Chokhadar, Pandar, Kathadar, Maladar, Pankhiraj, Chalandar, Petidar, Pandar, Prajapati, Dapas, Batur and Chil are available.
Ordinary kites are sold for Tk 5 to 25 depending on the shape. Foreign kites of different designs cost Tk 150 to 600. A thousand yards of Manja yarn from India or China costs Tk 150. However, the more you get, the less you pay.
Mohan Sur, proprietor of Sur Ghurighar in Shankharibazar, said sales are lower this time than before Covid times. But with a week left to go for the festival, sales may increase. Although prices are the same as before, due to the low number of buyers, the natis are being sold for a lower profits this time around, he said.
For the second time, DSCC is also organising the festival. The standing committee on sports and culture of the organisation will hold the festival across all wards. The inauguration event will be held at Lalbagh Kella.