On the occasion of Pohela Boishakh, the Ananda Shobhajatra (Joyous Procession) has begun from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University (DU). This year’s theme is: “The harmony of the New Year will end despotism.”
People from all walks of life joined the festive celebration.
The procession started in front of the Faculty of Fine Arts and is passing through Shahbagh intersection, TSC intersection, Central Shaheed Minar, Physical Education Centre, and Doel Square, before concluding back at the Faculty of Fine Arts via the road in front of Bangla Academy.
This year’s Ananda Shobhajatra is led by 18 decorated police horses, reflecting the heritage of the Sultanate and Mughal eras. Behind them is a delegation of 464 representatives from 28 ethnic communities.
Following them is a 100-member team from a private university, a 14-member teen band from Bandarban, a 100-member BAMMA music group, a 50-member team of Baul mystics, a 100-member farmers’ group, mainstream performing artists, a 100-member team from Sadhona Dance Troupe, and a 50-member group from the Rainbow Garment Workers’ Artists’ Organization.
After that comes a 20-member women’s football delegation and a 17-member acrobat troupe. The procession also includes a rickshaw rally with 20 rickshaws, a parade of five horse-drawn carriages, and the main attraction — 500 large and small motifs.
