In a village in central Bangladesh, bright red paint is smeared across the chests of a group of Hindu devotees, then their arms, followed by their faces, until every inch of skin disappears beneath a vivid crimson coat. They check their reflections in mirrors, adjust their costumes and step out - transformed into the legendary Red Glass warriors of Lord Shiva, ready to parade through the streets for the annual Lal Kach festival.

To the thunder of dhols and the wail of trumpets, dozens of men coated head-to-toe in red paint took to the streets of a Munshiganj village on Monday (April 13), swords raised to the sky, as the annual Lal Kach festival marked Chaitra Sankranti — the final day of the Bengali calendar — and ushered in hopes for a better new year. The centuries-old ceremony honours the Hindu god Shiva and his wife Parvati, with devotees believing red to be the colour of Shiva's army.

The red pigment, traditionally made by mixing turmeric powder with lime, symbolises purification, strength, and courage. According to local belief, the ritual represents the descent of Lord Shiva to earth with divine warriors to drive away negative forces before the start of the new year.

"We celebrate this festival to tame the bad and in search of a better start to the new year," said Sanjay Sutradhar, a 26-year-old pharmacist and parade participant.

The spectacle drew crowds from across the community, with Muslim and Hindu villagers lining the lanes side by side to watch the procession pass.

Anis Bepari, a 59-year-old Muslim businessman, said the festival was "deep-rooted in our cultural heritage," adding that Hindus and Muslims gathered together to enjoy it.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the red warriors danced on in a temple field — their painted figures glowing in the fading light, as villagers gathered around them, bound together by the colour, rhythm and promise of renewal.

-Sam Jahan, Jacinta Goh/Reuters