![]() History of Pohela Boishakh The Bengali calendar is very closely related with the Hindu Vedic solar calendar, based on Surya Siddhanta. Just like other variants, the Hindu Solar Calendar begins in the mid of April of Gregorian year. The very first day of Bengali calendar, therefore, coincides with the New Years in Assam, Kerala, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Punjab, Sri Lanka, Mithila in Nepal, Burma in Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand, in April mid. During ancient Bengal, there lived a king named Shoshangko, who ruled between 590 CE and 625 CE and is often credited with starting the Bengali era. His kingdom encompassed a large area that included West Bengal, Bangladesh and parts of Bihar, Orissa and Assam. ![]() The celebration of Poila Boishakh started from the time of Mughal Emperor Akbar's era. It was customary to clear all the dues on the last day of the year. On the next day, or the first day of New Year, landlords would amuse their tenants with sweets. On this day there used to be festivities and fairs. In the process, the occasion became part of domestic and social life, and also turned into a day of merriment. The foremost event of the day was to open a new book of accounts or ‘halkhata’. Celebration of Pohela Boishakh by Bengalis This day, the Pohela Boishakh, connects with all ethnic Bengalis irrespective of regional and religious differences. This day is a public holiday in the state of West Bengal, Tripura and Assam. In Bangladesh, this day is a national holiday in the country. In West Bengal, the day is celebrated with lot of pomp and galore. Homes are properly cleaned; people dress themselves in traditional attire and spend most of the day visiting relatives, friends and neighbours. Typical Bengali cuisines are prepared to entertain the guests. ![]() The day is also considered auspicious for marriages. People wear new clothes and various kinds of cultural programmes are held, where prayers are offered for good health and prosperity of families. As the day is considered auspicious, new businesses and new ventures are commenced on this day. The ‘mahurat’ is performed, marking the beginning of new ventures. The traders buy new accounts books. The accounting in the ‘halkhata’ begins only after offering the Puja. In West Bengal, throngs of devotees are seen in front of the Kalighat Temple from late night preceding the Pohela Boishakh day. Amongst the various fairs held in West Bengal, the most popular of the lot is Bangla Sangeet Mela, held at Rabindra Sadan ground, organised by the Government of West Bengal. (Last Updated on : 16-04-2016) |
More Articles in Indian New Year Festivals (7) | |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||