Bengalis celebrate Bangla New Year - Dhaka

01/12

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Crowds throng the road as people join celebrations for Bengali New Year in a park in Dhaka where floats with giant images of birds and animals are paraded in a carnival-like atmosphere.

02/12

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Crowds join celebrations for Bengali New Year in a park in Dhaka as floats are paraded in a carnival-like atmosphere.

03/12

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A man carries a young boy on his shoulders as crowds join celebrations for Bengali New Year in a park in Dhaka where floats are paraded in a carnival-like atmosphere.

04/12

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Crowds throng the road as people join celebrations for Bengali New Year in a park in Dhaka where floats with giant images of animals and birds are paraded in a carnival-like atmosphere.

05/12

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Crowds throng the road as people join celebrations for Bengali New Year in a park in Dhaka where floats are paraded in a carnival-like atmosphere.

06/12

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Crowds throng the road as people join celebrations for Bengali New Year in a park in Dhaka where floats are paraded in a carnival-like atmosphere.

07/12

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Crowds throng the road as people join celebrations for Bengali New Year in a park in Dhaka where floats with giant images of birds and animals are paraded in a carnival-like atmosphere.

08/12

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Crowds throng the road as people join celebrations for Bengali New Year in a park in Dhaka where floats with giant images of birds and animals are paraded in a carnival-like atmosphere.

09/12

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The streets are crowded as people throng the road to join celebrations for Bengali New Year in a park in Dhaka where floats with giant images of birds and animals are paraded.

10/12

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The streets are crowded as people throng the road to join celebrations for Bengali New Year in a park in Dhaka where floats with giant images of birds and animals are paraded.

11/12

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A giant image of a bird is paraded through a park in Dhaka as people throng the road to join celebrations for Bengali New Year

12/12

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People throng the road in a park in Dhaka as they join celebrations for Bengali New Year.

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Bangladesh celebrates its most colourful festival as it welcomes Pahela Boishakh, the first day of the Bengali year 1418. Thousands of people poured into the streets to join the celebrations and carnival atmosphere.

The nation in its most colourful festival welcomed Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla year 1417, on Wednesday.
Thousands of people from different backgrounds dressed in traditional costumes, poured into the streets, parks and open spaces across the capital and elsewhere in the country to welcome the Bangla New Year.

They expressed determination to move towards a prosperous future through this year's carnival of Pahela Baishakh with traditional songs, music, fanfares and colourful processions.

Tight security measures were taken in and around the traditional venue of the carnival, Ramna Park in the capital, to avert any untoward incident. Cooperating with the security forces people to stand in long queues to enter the venue by foot.

About 10,000 personnel of the law-enforcement agencies kept a close eye on the carnival-goers not only at the venue but also around Dhaka University campus. Dog squads, and metal detectors closed-circuit cameras were installed at different places.

A festive spirit gripped the capital and other parts of the country. Women in soothing white sarees with red border and men in panjabees -- the dresses decorated with Baishakhi motifs -- greeted the New Year.

Youngsters had their cheeks painted with the country's map and other emblems that added more colors to the celebrations.

Colorful rallies, musical programmes, fairs and cake festivals attached were an extra joy to the celebrations.