Boishakh (Bengali: পহেলা বৈশাখ)[n 1] is the first day of the Bengali calendar which is also the official calendar of Bangladesh. This festival is celebrated on 14 April in Bangladesh and 15 April in the Indian[2] states of West Bengal, Tripura, Jharkhand and Assam (Barak Valley) by Bengalis regardless of religious faith.[3][4][5][6]
Pohela Boishakh (পহেলা বৈশাখ)
Pohela Baishakh celebration in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Official namePohela Boishakh[1]Also calledPahela Baishak, Pahela Boishak, Poila Boishakh (পয়লা বৈশাখ)Observed byBengaliTypeSocial, cultural and national festivalCelebrationsBoishakhi Mela (fair), gift-giving, visiting relatives and friends, songs, danceDate14 April (Bangladesh)
15 April (India)FrequencyAnnualRelated toSouth and Southeast Asian solar New Year
Celebration of Pohela Boishakh traces its roots to the traditions of Old Dhaka's Muslim community during Mughal rule,[7][8] as well as the proclamation of tax collection reforms of Akbar.[9]
The festival is celebrated with processions, fairs and family time. The traditional greeting for Bengalis in the new year is শুভ নববর্ষ "Shubho Noboborsho" which is literally "Happy New Year". The festive Mangal Shobhajatra is organised in Bangladesh. In 2016, the UNESCO declared this festivity organised by the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka as a cultural heritage of humanity.[10]
History and origin
Holiday customs
Locality
See also
Gallery
