The country is gearing up to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year-1431, tomorrow, embracing the rich cultural values and rituals of the Bangalees. A significant turnout is expected to participate in the “Nabo Barsho” festivities nationwide, especially in the capital city.
Pahela Baishakh stands as one of the most vibrant festivals, marking the farewell to the old year and the warm welcome of the New Year. People from all walks of life come together adorned in traditional Bengali attire. Women don white sarees with red borders, complemented by bangles, flowers, and “tips,” while men opt for white pyjamas paired with panjabis or kurtas.
The day’s festivities kick off in the capital with Chhayanat, a leading cultural organization, hosting a musical soiree at Ramna Batamul at dawn. Following tradition, the iconic Mangal Shobhajatra will commence from Dhaka University’s Fine Arts Faculty premises in the morning.
The Mangal Shobhajatra holds immense significance, spreading its cultural essence from divisional to grassroots levels. Its global recognition was solidified in 2016 when UNESCO inscribed it on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Business communities, particularly in rural areas, eagerly prepare to inaugurate their traditional ‘Halkhata’ or new account books. It’s a day marked by traders offering sweets to customers, fostering goodwill and prosperity.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are set to extend their greetings to the nation on the eve of Pahela Baishakh through separate messages. Various government and non-government organizations, alongside socio-cultural platforms, will host diverse programs, including seminars, exhibitions, and competitions, to celebrate the festival.
Local administrations will orchestrate quiz competitions, cultural events, and folk fairs, adding to the festive fervor. Across the city, residents will begin the day with a traditional breakfast of ‘panta bhat’ (soaked rice), accompanied by green chili, onion, and fried fish at popular spots like Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Uddyan, and Dhaka University Campus.
Inclusivity marks the occasion, with museums and archaeological sites welcoming visitors, and special provisions made for children, students, and individuals with disabilities or autism to visit museums free of charge. Improved traditional food will be distributed to jail inmates, hospital patients, and orphanages as part of the festivities.
Bangladesh missions abroad will also organize various programs to embrace the Bengali New Year. Extensive security measures will be implemented by law enforcement agencies nationwide to ensure a safe celebration.
Pahela Baishakh is observed as a public holiday, with Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, and private TV and radio channels airing special programs to highlight its significance. Historically, the Bengali calendar’s roots trace back to King Shashanka in the seventh century, later modified by Mughal Emperor Akbar to align with agricultural cycles and tax collection practices.
