Basant is celebrated at a time when the winter months are nearing to an end and spring is just around the corner. There is a famous Punjabi phrase for this event "Basant- pala aurant", which means that with the advent of Basant the cold weather flies away.
Coinciding with mating season, symbolically Basant is believed to symbolize heightened emotions sending a message of love to all man and animal alike. An interesting compliment to this theory is the celebration of the famous western occasion Valentines Day celebrated February 14th near the same dates of that of the local Basant.
The celebrations kick off with people especially the women wearing bright yellow clothes, while families and friends gather together at rooftop feasts to mark the occasion.
It is said that over the years Basant has risen beyond the level of a local festival and has now become an occasion in this part of Pakistan where it is celebrated as eagerly as the two eid’s and independence Day.
Basant in Lahore knows no religious, political or sexual boundaries. It knows only one thing and that is the spirit of the city to which it is celebrated as a tribute each year round.
Nowadays Basant has become a major industry where all the large companies both from within the city as well as other parts of the country want a piece of the action.
The city this year round has been divided in the colors of red and blue as two major beverage companies have taken over all the streets filling them up with decorations and banners, each trying to outdo the other.
Massive public events have been arranged in various parks and arenas, while all the prominent rooftops have literally been sold out over the weekend to companies wishing to accommodate their guest for the gala event.
The hype of Basant in Lahore has grown so much that nowadays even the foreign media comes all the way from the west to report on the event.
Everyone becomes a part of the festivities during the Basant week even people who have never flown kites also try to chip in and enjoy the event.
1 comment:
For your kind information Lahore High Court imposed ban on Kite flying for one more month so Basant would be celebrated only during the day without kites .....so borring but better than killing hundreds of people .
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