Composition | Pahela Baishakh

Pahela Baishakh is an important part of Bengali culture. It marks the beginning of the Bengali Calendar year. In Bangladesh, people celebrate this day with great enthusiasm. The Baishakhi Mela, which is the biggest festival of Bengali culture, is also celebrated during this time.

People from all walks of life celebrate this festival with joy. City dwellers try to distance themselves from Western influences and embrace their Bengali identity, even if it's just for one day. Similarly, villagers spend the day meeting each other, exchanging invitations, enjoying music, and taking part in various festive activities.

On Pohela Boishaka, people clean their homes thoroughly and bathe early in the morning. They dress up in nice clothes and spend the day visiting relatives, friends, and neighbors. They also go to fairs that are set up in different parts of the country. These fairs offer various agricultural products, traditional handicrafts, toys, cosmetics, as well as different types of food and sweets. The fairs also feature singers, dancers, and traditional plays and songs. In the rural areas, the fair usually takes place in an open area or along a river or canal.

On this day, businessmen start new account books, which is known as Halkhata. They offer sweets to their customers and try to complete pending transactions while opening new accounts. Pahela Baishakh brings great joy and delight every year.

In Dhaka city, the Ramna Batamul is the central location for New Year celebrations, which gradually spread throughout the city and the rest of the country. This festival includes exhibitions, music, poetry, crafts, photography, and theater, especially in urban areas.

Pohela Boishakh brings together all Bengalis, regardless of their religious or regional differences. It is a national holiday usually celebrated around April 14, according to the official calendar designed by the Bangla Academy.