Bengali New Year, better known as Poila Boishakh is celebrated on the 15th of April by Bengalis across the country especially in West Bengal and minor Bengali communities in Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand and Orrisa. Bangladesh also celebrates Bengali New Year on the 14th of April by bringing in modern practices along with the age-old traditional ones. Poila in Bengali stands for first and Boishakh is first month of the Bengali calendar.
Traditional Bengali families start the day with panta-bhat i.e. leftover rice soaked in water and fried Hilsa fish. The greeting Subho Naba Borsho meaning Happy New Year is believed to be one of the most heart-warming salutation across the globe.
Celebrations in Kolkata
Kolkata indulges in sumptuous delicacies and spicy cuisine during the Bengali New Year. Food forms the foundation of love, harmony and brotherhood among Bengalis. And could there be a better occasion than Poila Boishakh to enjoy Bhetki Roll, Pomfret Paturi and Mishti doi? The numerous restaurants of Kolkata like Hotel Hindustan International, Lalit Great Eastern and ITC Fortune Select Loudon Hotel have lined up a mouth-watering spread to attract the food lovers of the city.
Chefs of popular hotels across Bengal promise to make gourmands spoilt for choice this Poila Boishakh as they have prepared an assortment of items associated with towns and regions of West Bengal. Bangalir Bhuribhoj meaning Bengalis' grand feast is incomplete without Aam Porar Sorbot (raw mango juice), Moroger Surua (chicken Starter), Bhapa Pabda (steamed fish) and Aar Machher Jhal (long-whiskered Catfish curry). The sweet Bengalis cannot think of this day without desert so many eateries have given traditional sweets a hint of modernization to come up with dishes including Baked Malai Rasogolla, Kalakand Payesh (rice pudding with Kalakand) and Langcha.
The niche Bengali restaurant, 6 Ballygunge Place in Kolkata will serve its guests vegetarian dishes like stuffed Potol Posto (poppy gourd), Kasha Aloo Dum (potato curry) and Butterscotch Sandesh along with the plethora of Fish and other non-vegetarian items.
The weather in Kolkata will remain hot and humid but rain will not hamper the celebrations here. However, places like Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura could witness thundershowers and light rain today.
Celebrations in Bangladesh
All communities in Bangladesh celebrate Poila Boishakh with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement. Many cultural programs were held through the day in Universities and Community centres across the country. The Dhaka University (DU) campus attracted hundreds of people to a procession called Mongol Shobhajatra organized by the university for the 26th time.
Spreading communal harmony and spirit of a new hope, Skymet Meteorology Division in India wishes its readers Subho Naba Borsho!
picture courtesy- rice n curry, wikipedia
