A Colorful Start to the Year with Kites Flying and Winter Festivities in Old Dhaka

Since Sunday morning, people from all walks of life in Old Dhaka have been celebrating Paush Sankranti by flying kites on the rooftops. Residents of Narinda, Gandaria, Sutrapur, Banglabazar, Sayedabad, Bakshi Bazar, and other areas participated in the Shakrain festival on Sunday, January 14, 2024.

Despite the freezing weather, people gathered on rooftops to fly kites in the evening, creating a festive atmosphere. While the festival was officially observed on Sunday according to the Bangla calendar, some Hindus will celebrate it today based on the Loknath Panjika.

During the evening kite flying festival, music played from speakers in every building, and people enjoyed delicious food. Dhakabashi, an organization in Old Dhaka, organized a kite-flying festival in Bakshi Bazar. Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, chief adviser of the Dhakabashi, said, ‘People of all religions fly kites to celebrate the festival across the country. However, people in urban areas have incorporated technology into the festival. We have to make sure that people do not forget their roots.’

Originally limited to the followers of Traditional Religions, today, Shakrain is celebrated in Old Dhaka, drawing people of all ages and religions. Youths from other parts of Dhaka also rushed there to join the festival.

Tags: Dhaka