Shakrain Festival: A festival that connects people irrespective of their social status and religion

Poush Sankranti or Makar Sankranti is popularly known as Shakrain among old Dhaka people in Bangladesh. In old Dhaka, this festival is celebrated in a festive atmosphere by all the residents. Though it is not celebrated all over Bangladesh, it is very popular and important Bangladeshi culture. 

Shakrain is the Dhakaiya name of the festival celebrated in South Asia in the name Poush Sankranti or Makar Sankranti. This festival is known in different names in different countries and regions, such as Poush Sankranti in India, Maghe Sankranti in Nepal, Maghi in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Sakraat in Delhi and Haryana, Uttarayana in Gujarat and many more. 

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“Sankranti”, a Sanskrit word, corrupted by Dhaka dialect is pronounced Shakrain. Shakrain Festival is an annual celebration held in winter in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This festival is celebrated on the last day of the Bengali month Poush. Thus, the other name of this festival is “Poush Sankranti”. The word “Sankranti” means “End” and Poush is the ninth month of the Bengali calendar. So, “Poush Sankranti” means “End of Poush”. On this day, the sun starts moving towards the southward from the tropic of Capricorn to the tropic of Cancer. Therefore, it is also known as “Makar Sankranti”. Shakrain Festival falls on January 14 or 15 in Gregorian calendar, but because of some differences of the Bengali calendar with the date of almanac, residents of old Dhaka celebrate this festival for two days- January 14 and 15- every year. 

Shakrain Festival or Makar Sankranti has a long history. It has been celebrated since ancient time but there is no specific information about its origin. It could be thousand years old or even more. According to Indian mythology, Bhishma, the great warrior, accepted death on his bed of arrows on this auspicious hour of Makar Sankranti. According to another opinion, the battle of the demons with the gods ended on this day. Vishnu, the preserver God of Hindu religion, killed the demons and buried their severed heads in Mandira Mountain. Therefore, it is still believed that all evil forces had been destroyed and good forces had been rekindled during Makar Sankranti. According to another opinion, the sun went to visit the house of his son Shani (Saturn) for one month on this day. So, this day is also considered as a special day of the relationship between father and son. 

The celebration of Shakrain Festival is limited only in the old part of Dhaka city. This festival is celebrated in a grandiloquent manner in Hindu inhabited areas of old Dhaka. Residents of Shankhari Bazaar, Tanti Bazar, Laxmibazar, Sutrapur, Dholaikhal, Chawkbazar, Bangshal, Dhupkhola, Sadarghat, Gendaria, Lalbagh, Goal Nagar and other surrounding areas celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm and fervor. On this occasion, people belong to different ages- kid, youngster, middle aged- fly kites of different colors and sizes from the rooftops in all these areas in the afternoon. Though kite is flown from the beginning of the day, it becomes more serious in the afternoon. As a result, this kite flying competition turns into kite fighting. In this competition, participants try to cut down one another’s kite. Those who join this competition often brag about how many kites of others they have cut down. For this reason, this festival has got countrywide popularity as “Kite Festival”. 

At present, alongside flying kites all day long, the sky of the city on the bank of the Buriganga River is filled with colorful fireworks and lanterns at night. Colorful fireworks and lanterns light up the skies of old Dhaka as the sun sets. Flame-eaters (also called fire breathers) show tricks from building rooftops to entertain the audience. With the advancement of time, Shakrain Festival has become changed with the addition of laser light, music and dance party arranged by the young people of the community. There are also the arrangement of delicious cakes and sweets in every household. 

Though Shakrain Festival is mainly celebrated by the Hindus across the globe, it has got a “Non-communal” tag in Bangladesh with the participation of people from different social status and religions. It connects people regardless their social status and religion. For this reason, it is seen as the symbol of brotherhood, unity and friendship.