More than 50 lanterns in the sky of Kuakata

Suddenly, looking at the night sky, it will seem like a lot of stars. Sometimes one or two stars fall off. None of that, really. These are sky-high colored lanterns. On Saturday night, more than 50 barnil lanterns were flown at the initiative of the local Rakhine community in collaboration with the upazila administration on the occasion of the youth festival in the tourist center Kuakata. It has a lantern of 24 cubits length.

During this time, people of different ages, including tourists, enjoyed the spectacular view of the light in the sky. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rabiul Islam, Upazila Project Implementation Officer Md Moksedul Alam, Kalapara Ladies Club President Md Sumaiya Saimun Ema, Kuakata Khanabad College teacher Dr Shahidul Islam Shahin and local Rakhine community leaders were present on the occasion.

Local Rakhine said that these lanterns are usually flown on this Prabarana Purnima. But for the first time, 50 lanterns have been flown in the sky on the occasion of the festival of youth. They are made of colored paper and bamboo scissors for 15 long days. The most common of these is a parachute lantern. Its length is about 24 cubits. But once upon a time, the lantern festival was a tradition in this area. But in the evolution of time, it is gradually disappearing. They drew the attention of the administration so that the past heritage of the Rakhine people is not lost. Mahin said, “This is the first time I have seen lanterns flying in the sky after coming to Kuakata. I loved it. It cannot be explained if you do not see it.

Maung, a leader of the local Rakhine community, said the event was organized to mark the festival of youth. I thank the upazila administration for this. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Rabiul Islam said the lantern festival has been organized with the involvement of Rakhine people on the occasion of Youth Festival 2025. Besides, youth festivals, boat races, cultural programs are organized. The official said an artificial Rakhinepara will be set up for tourists. From where tourists can know the culture of the Rakhine community. Basically, the history of Kalapara Kuakata is not complete without the history of the Rakhis. So I’m going to continue this show.