Shakrain

Shakrain Festival
Fire work during the festival
Also called	Poush Sankranti
Type	Traditional
Date	January 14 or 15

Shakrain Festival (Bengali: সাকরাইন; also known as Kite Festival and Ghuri Utsob) is an annual Bengali celebration in Dhaka, Bangladesh, observed with the flying of kites. The celebration is uniquely celebrated by the Bengali Dhakaiya community based on Old Dhaka. It occurs at the end of Poush, the ninth month of the Bengali calendar (January 14 or 15 on a leap year, according to the Gregorian calendar). The festival coincides with the holiday of Poush Sankranti This day is known as Poush Sankranti (Bengali: পৌষ সংক্রান্তি; End of Poush).

The Shakrain Festival is one of the oldest annual festivals of Bangladesh. Serving as a symbol of unity and friendship, it is a significant event in Bangladeshi culture.

Events

Shakrain is celebrated mostly around the southern part of Dhaka city. As part of the celebration, colourful kites are flown high from the rooftops around the area in the afternoon. It often takes the form of kite fighting, in which participants try to snag each other's kites and cut them down.

Customs

Music and dancing are central to the festival. When night falls, fireworks light up the sky of Old Dhaka. Flame-eaters gather on the roofs to entertain people with their skills of manipulating fire. After midnight, games similar to dice games are played, but with fruits. Many households compete to see who can prepare the largest variety of pithas. A variety of sweets and traditional foods, such as the regional signature kacchi biryani, are also served on this day.

Gallery

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  Firework during the festival
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  Firework during the festival
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See also

• Culture of Dhaka
• Dhakaiyas
• Bengali Muslims
• Makar Sankranti
• International Kite Festival in Gujarat – Uttarayan
• Lohri

References

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