Pohela Boishak 2020

Bengali New Year, also known as ‘Pohela Boishakh’ is the first day in the Bengali calendar. Poila means ‘first’ and Boishakh is first month of the Bengali calendar.

As Bengali New Year is based on a solar calendar it occurs on 14 April in the Gregorian calendar each year. We celebrate 14April as a national holiday in Bangladesh, and on 14 or 15 April in the Indian states of West Bengal, Odisha, Tripura and part of Assam by people of Bengali heritage, irrespective of their religious faith.

The same day is observed elsewhere as the traditional solar new year and a harvest festival by Hindus and Sikhs, and is known by other names such as Vaisakhi in central and north India, Vishu in Kerala and Puthandu in Tamil Nadu.

 Traditions of Bengali new Year

Mughal Emperor Akbar introduced the Bengali calendar in 1556 (Gregorian calendar) to make the collection of land tax easier .Now the traditional greeting for Bengali New Year is ‘Shubho Nabobarsho’ which means ‘Happy New Year’.

How is Bengali New Year celebrated?

As with other new years’ traditions in the region, Bengali families clean their house and decorate them with colourful  alpana. At the center of the alpana pattern, they place a earthen pot, filled with water, covered with mango leaves and marked with the shidur and white swastika sign. This is intended to bring good luck and fortune to the household in the coming year. People may also visit their nearby river to say prayers and take a ritual bath.

Panta Ilish dish in pohela boishak

Pahela Boishakh or Bangla Nabobarsho is the first day of Bengali Calendar. It is celebrated on 14 April as a national holiday in Bangladesh, and on 14 or 15 April in the Indian states of West Bengal, Odisha, Tripura and part of Assam by people of Bengali heritage, irrespective of their religious faith.

Mangal jatra in Pohela boishak

The festival is celebrated with processions, fairs and family time. The traditional greeting for Bengali New Year is শুভ নববর্ষ “Shubho Nabobarsho” which is literally “Happy New Year”. The festive Mangal Shobhajatra is organized in Bangladesh. In 2016, the UNESCO declared this festivity organized by the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka as a cultural heritage of humanity.

The People of Bangladesh celebrate Pohela Boishakh in different ways. Peoples in Bangladesh wear Pohela Boishakh Dress , Girls wear Boishakhi Saree. These dresses are the common form of Pohela Boishakh Celebration.

Boishaki celebration in London

It is not only celebrated in Bangladesh but also in UK, Australia , Malaysia and Singapore. People in London celebrating Pohela Boishak as shown in the image above.