The first day of the month of Boishakh in the Bengali luni-solar calendar is traditionally celebrated as Shubho Nabo Borsho or Poila Boishakh. This year, the auspicious day falls on April 15 according to the Gregorian calendar this year. Poila Boishakh is celebrated by people in Bengal, Tripura and Assam with great zest and enthusiasm.
How is Poila Boishakh celebrated?
People rise early in the morning and clean their homes, courtyards and decorate them with flowers and alpana (rangoli). Then, they take bath, wear new clothes and seek blessings of the elders in the family.
Many invite a priest to conduct a Ganesh-Lakshmi Puja at home to initiate new beginnings. Some businessmen also open a new book of accounts on this day.
After performing traditional rituals and puja, people indulge in the special preparations to treat their taste buds. Later in the day, family, friends, neighbours and well-wishers greet each other Shubho Nabo Borsho by exchanging sweets and delicacies.
(Inputs by Ritupriya Chakraborty)
