Dhaka sky fills up with kites, fireworks

The neighbourhoods of Old Dhaka took on a festive look on Saturday evening, as people celebrated Poush Sangkranti, also known as Shakrain. The last of the Bengali month Poush was celebrated with daylong kite flying, partying and food.

The winter twilight sky was adorned with spectacular laser light shows, fireworks and lanterns.

Shakrain is a traditional festival for the people of Old Dhaka. The streets of Sutrapur, Kaltabazar, Shakharibazar, Lalbagh, Faridabad, Tatibazar, Laxmibazar, Narinda and Gendaria remained abuzz throughout the day. Enthusiastic children started flying kites from the morning.

People gathered on their rooftops with kites in a myriad of colours, shapes and designs. Some brought loudspeakers to play music, and made sure to use those speakers to challenge people on neighbouring rooftops to a kite-fight.

Crowds were gathered in front of shops selling kites. Plastic strings seemed to be more popular among kite flyers.

"Earlier, we used powdered glass to sharpen strings…. But the process is labourious and time consuming. That's why people prefer plastic strings over cotton," said Mohammad Hafiz, a businessman at Dholaikhal.

Rakidullah, a private university student, said they have been celebrating Shakrain since their childhood.

Their relatives from different parts of the city visit their house on this day to celebrate the festival along with them. "An open invitation is given to all of our relatives and friends. My mother prepares sweets for guests on the day," he said.

According to the solar calendar, on the last day of the Bengali month -- "Poush", the sun moves towards its southward (Dakshinayana) journey at the Tropic of Capricorn and starts moving towards the Tropic of Cancer.

The day is known as "Poush Sangkranti", also "Makar Sangkranti" all over the world. The day is celebrated by the Hindu community in India, Nepal and Bangladesh in many cultural variations, in various names, like -- Maghe Sangkranti (Nepal), Saakrat (Delhi and Haryana), Uttarayan (Gujarat), Maghi (Punjab) and many more.

Different kinds of rice cakes, desserts and confections are made for the occasion.

Kaiser Islam, a resident of Wari, said all of their family members took part in the festival and it is a longstanding family tradition.

He said they flew kites in the morning. In the evening, they held cultural programmes and fireworks.

"It is a tradition in Old Dhaka and we love being involved in the festival," said Kaiser.