Avenues and parks around the capital city's Parliament Building draped in flame colours of yellow, orange and red.....

This is the time of the year that makes this city burst into its splendid colours. Its a sight to see! In addition, the added  'avenue art ' that is seen on the road is the remnant of the 'Baishakhi Alpona', from the Bangla New Year celebrations,  artwork done on the eve of Bangla New Year by artists from all walks of the city, young and old. These avenues appear to be simply draped by these special, big blossoming trees which include the red Poincianas, true natives of forests of Madagascar as I have known, but suited to this climate, or may even be known as Flame trees, red and yellow, or in simple Bangla the Krishna, the red and yellow, the Radhachruras and the yellow 'Shornojuries' hanging golden bunches, that line the side entrances of the extended areas of the Parliament Building. They are simply gorgeous, captivating to everyone's eyesight, as they burst into their colours and ornamentally decorate the different parts of the city where they align the avenues, and bring the different parts of the city areas into a splendour of bright sun-colours! As you walk around through the Avenues  around the Parliament Building surrounded by lush expanse of parks and lakes, you are taken by surprise as the area is simply lit up by its sparkling surrounding, romantic if some may describe it as, or simply gorgeous and firece for others, or just simply a city  'in Flames', whatever you may like to say or however you may like to express.... Simply stunning and extremely refreshing, for the tired city dwellers day or evening relaxations, amidst the heat of the summer. Take a close look.

 

 

 

Pahela Baishak, the fascinating Bangla New Year displaying the festival in colours, festoons, music and art...

Face paints in seal versions

All kinds of ladies attractions are seen in bangles and trinkets, in all shapes and colours.

Red and White, celebration colours of young and old

Dry Food, peanuts to munchies from vendors to full lunch meals are found all around. 

Mouth-watering green guavas and mangoes, tossed in salt and spices are simply a bliss to beat the heat.

So are the green coconuts served as fresh drinks!!

Prompt security always at hand to take care of the free crowd

This is a tiny, miniature reflection of the greatest Bangla festival, welcoming the Bangla New Year 1420, today, first of Baishak, the first month of the Bangla calender year. At the peak heat of the summer, Bangalees celebrate the overnight  eve and the day long new year with festivities, food varieties, festoons, games for children to adults, colours with paints and brushes in action for the entire last month, for this single day's event, the biggest and the most spontaneous of all Bangalee events. After the night celebrations of the last day of Chaitra, the hottest last Bangla calender month to stepping into Baishak, the hot summer month and the first month of the Bangla calender. The opening begins with early morning open air musical soirees in every nook and corner of the capital city particularly in the parks and by the lakes and also seen all over the country, institutionally and otherwise. The celebrations arise from folk history as the new year began with the collection of taxes and closure of the year's accounts from our rich agricultural heritage. So, the city people today enjoy in festive mood, the rural food and fun games and colours in art and attire, joining family and friends for celebrations of complete happiness and joy as one steps into the new year for another year of hard work and wiping out  all negative forces and spirits of the past year and moving forward towards the new. Also, it is amazing to note is that the summer big-tree-blossoms are just ready too, blooming in their fresh bright colours of red, yellow pink and purple, welcoming the New Year, and people from all walks join the crowds, amidst traffic jams using whatever means of transports available, some even walking the miles.