Pohela Boishakh 2023

"ঢোল ডুগডুগি বাউল সংগীতের নৃত্যে,

মানুষত্বের মিলন মেলায় বৈশাখ এলো"

-শুভ নববর্ষ ১৪৩০

Bangla New Year, also known as Pohela Boishakh, is the first day of the Bengali calendar. It is celebrated on April 14th every year in Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, as well as by Bengali communities around the world.

The celebration of Bangla New Year has its roots in rural Bengal, where it was a way to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the new year. The tradition was later popularized by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century, who introduced the concept of a fixed calendar year in the region.

On the day of Pohela Boishakh, people dress up in traditional Bengali attire, with women wearing red and white saris and men wearing white pajamas and kurtas. They gather in public spaces, such as parks or cultural centers, to enjoy various cultural programs, including music, dance, and theater performances.

One of the most iconic aspects of Bangla New Year celebrations is the colorful procession known as the Mangal Shobhajatra. This parade features large, elaborate masks and floats, which are meant to symbolize the triumph of good over evil.

Food is also an important part of the celebrations, with people enjoying traditional Bengali dishes such as panta bhaat (fermented rice), ilish maach bhaja (fried hilsa fish), and mishti doi (sweet yogurt).

In recent years, Pohela Boishakh has become a symbol of Bengali cultural pride and identity. It is celebrated not just in Bangladesh and West Bengal, but also by Bengali communities around the world, from London to New York to Sydney.