New Delhi: Pohela Boishakh or Bengali New Year is the traditional new year day of the Bengali people. It is celebrated on 14 April as a national holiday in Bangladesh, and on 15 April in India. The festival date is set according to the lunisolar Bengali calendar as the first day of its first month Baishakh. In Bengali, Pohela stands for 'first' and Boishakh is first month of Bengali calendar. The festival is celebrated with processions, fairs and family time. The traditional greeting for Bengali New Year is Shubho Nabobarsho which is means Happy New Year.
History of Pohela Boishakh
Akbar the Mughal emperor was collecting the tax under his reign from 1556 to 1609. On the times, the economy was fully depended on the Agricultural productions. That was the time; the Arabic or Hijri year didn't match for collecting the Agricultural products as the Tax.
Then he made a new calendar to collect the Tax from the people who were fully depended on the Agricultural products. That Calendar was named as Bangla calendar and the 1st day of this calendar known as the Pohela Boishakh.
Celebration of Pohela Boishakh
Like the new year day in the rest of India, Bengali families clean their house and decorate them with alpana (rangoli). In the center of the alpana color pattern, they place a earthen pot, filled with water, capped with mango leaves and marked with auspicious Hindu red and white swastika sign. Many people visit the nearby river to say their prayers and take a ritual bath.
History of Pohela Boishakh
Then he made a new calendar to collect the Tax from the people who were fully depended on the Agricultural products. That Calendar was named as Bangla calendar and the 1st day of this calendar known as the Pohela Boishakh.
Pohela Boishakh 2017: It is also considered auspicious to start new businesses.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
When Is Poila Baisakh 2023? 9 Recipes For Traditional Bengali New Year Thali PM Modi Greets People On Poila Boishakh, Vishu Festivals Marking New Year Poila Baisakh 2022: Want A Full-Course Meal For The Bengali New Year? Here Are Some Recipes Under-Fire Trainee IAS Officer Accuses Pune Collector Of Harassment Meet Indian-Origin Usha Chilukuri Vance, Wife Of Trump's Vice President Pick Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Recalled To Academy, Training Put On Hold Four In Five Americans Fear Country Is Sliding Into Chaos: Polls Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Launched In India; Prices Start At Rs. 2.39 Lakh Admission Deadline Extended For EWS And Special Needs Children Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.