Makar Sankranti (মকর সংক্রান্তি) is being celebrated all over the country on January 14, 2022. Sometimes due to the transition of sun position it may later. It's also called ❝ Poush sankranti❞ (পৌষ সংক্রান্তি) in Bangladesh. In local language this event is called ❝Shakrain❞ (শাকরাইন). Especially in Old Dhaka, they grandly celebrated this occasion. Apart from old Dhaka, shakrain is now being celebrated in different parts of the country. Although this festival is mainly popular among the Hindu community, now people of different religion and cast have put their interest to celebrate this occasion.
On this day several fairs are organised. In my city, they organised a fair early in the morning. Approximately it may 6:30 in winter morning. Buyers and sellers from different places come and gather at this fair. Various types of sweets are made at home. In local language they called ❝ Pitha-puli❞ (পিঠা পুলি). Most of sweets are made from fresh harvest paddy and date palm. They usually made vapa pitha (ভাপা পিঠা),Dudh puli (দুধ পুলি), Dudh chitoi (দুধ চিতই) etc. They all taste amazing.
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The most interesting part of the fair is varieties of earthenware items are available here. They used to sell earthenware pots, toys, fancy balloon, plastic flute and others. A variety of food stalls are available at the fair. However it is mostly unhealthy while all the sellers are requested to follow covid 19 protocols. Another interesting part of this event is ❝Kite flying ❞. Various types of fancy kites are shown flying in the sky. All generations of people are enjoying this part.
Flying kite has also been popularised in Indian regions as well. Makar sankranti is popular with different names in different parts of region in India. In Gujrat it is called Uttarayan, in Tamil Nadu it's Pongal, In Assam it is called Magh Bihu and Maghi for Punjab. Although the programme is called by different names the rituals is basically the same.
People mainly celebrate this occasion as a token of thanksgiving to God for a good harvest. They celebrate this in the sense of togetherness and unity. They grow love in the society through this occasion. People of various region get together and it’s a symbol of brotherhood. Basically the significance of this event is undeniable.