 |
| Young people release a paper lantern during the traditional Shakrain festival in old Dhaka on Jan. 14, 2020. The festival is hailed for its secular character. (Photo by Piyas Biswas) |
As the feeble winter
sun starts setting, thousands of residents of the old part of Dhaka, on the
banks of the Buriganga, clamber to their rooftops — to sing and dance, and to
fly kites of various colors and shapes.
As
dusk descends, the boisterous crowd start releasing hundreds of paper lanterns
and firework. Some flamboyant groups arrange for daylong programs including
music concerts, parties and fire-breathing by brave young men.
Men,
women and children from all faiths—Muslims, Hindus and Christians — greet each
other and offer sweets and traditional pithas (homemade
cakes).
The
narrow streets of Old Dhaka get overcrowded as residents and visitors rush to
celebrate the feast in whatever way they can.
This
unique feast is Shakrain, which marks the start of the sun’s northward journey
at the end of Poush, the ninth month of the local calendar. It also marks the
end of the winter solstice and the start of longer days.
This
year, Shakrain fell on Jan. 14-15.
