Celebrated In : Kolkata
Time of the Festivity Baishakh (April)
About the Festival
Poila Baisakh is a major celebration and the first day of Baisakh
remains a holiday in Kolkata.
The first month of the Bengali calendar, Baishakh, marks the
beginning of the crop cycle in Bengal. The first day of this month
is called Poila Baisakh is celebrated as the Bengali new year.
Chances are, if you step into a shop in Calcutta on this day, you'll
be offered sweets and maybe the odd gift or two. Traders start the
new year by inaugurating new accounting books.
It is considered the most auspicious month for marriage, the most
auspicious month for undertaking any business venture and it is also
the month when all agricultural production process begins. Bengali’s
think that any child born in this month would acquire all the
qualities of being a prodigy. No wonder, the great Rabindranath
Tagore, was born in this month. Rabindranath was born on the 25th of
Baisakh.
Celebration
On that day, people wear new dress and go about socialising. The
houses are thoroughly cleaned and freshly painted. People decorate
their houses to welcome the New Year and the season of flowers.
Women make elaborate rangolis on the ground near the entrance to
their house. Beautiful designs are drawn with the help of a paste
made of rice flour and rows and rows of houses with intricate
patterns in front of them make a pretty picture. Cultural programms
are held, sweets are distributed and greeting are exchanged.
Special prayers are held for the welfare of the family. Procession
called ‘Prabhat Pheri’ is held early in the morning to
welcome the New Year. Women dress in white saris with red borders
while men wear ‘dhoti’ (loincloth) and ‘kurta’
(shirt) to take part in the procession. Cultural programs are held.
SUBHO NABA BARSO (HAPPY NEW YEAR).....
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