The Bengali New Year, or Pohela Boishakh, as traditionally called by the Bengali community members, marks the first day of the Bengali calendar and is a vibrant celebration of culture, heritage, and new beginnings.
Observed on 14th or 15th April, it's joyfully celebrated across West Bengal, Tripura, parts of Assam, and beyond—by Bengalis of all faiths. In Bangladesh, it's not just a festival but a symbol of cultural pride and resilience, rooted in the nation's historic resistance against Pakistani rule in the 1950s and 1960s.
The Bengali New Year 2025: Get to Know The Date!
The festival date of Shubho Noboborsho, or the Bangla New Year, is set according to the Lunisolar Bengali calendar as the first day in the first month of Baishakh. According to the Gregorian calendar, the Bengali New Year 2025 will be observed on 15th April 2025 (Tuesday).
Here are the timings for the Bengali New Year 2025.
The Bengali Era 1432 Starts
Pohela Boishakh 2025- 15th April 2025 (Tuesday)
Sankranti Time- 03:30 AM, 14th April 2025
Upcoming Bengali New Year Dates
2025: 15th April, Tuesday
2026: 15th April, Wednesday
2027: 15th April, Thursday
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A Little Bit of History
Historians believe that the Bengali Calendar can be dated back to the Mughal emperor Akbar, who modified the calendar set by King Shashanka in the 7th century. The purpose of this calendar was to help regulate yearly tax collection by the Kingsmen.
As history goes, during the Mughal rule, land taxes were collected from the people by following the Islamic Hijri calendar. However, since this calendar was based on the Moon's movement and the New Year did not coincide with the solar agricultural cycles, King Akbar asked his royal astronomer Fathullah Shirazi to create a brand new calendar. A new calendar was created by combining the Lunar Islamic calendar and the Solar Hindu calendar, which then became known as Fasholi Shan (the harvest calendar).
The Bangla Noboborsho Celebrations That You Should Know
On Pohela Boishakh, your business starts by entering accounts in a new ledger, clearing out the old one, and balancing accounts to repay any loans/debts. This custom has been followed since Mughal emperor Akbar's reign. Under his rule, it was customary to clear up all dues on the last day of Choitro, before New Year's Day.
On the Bangla New Year, traders and businesspeople would close their old account books in villages, towns, and cities and prepare new ones. They invite their customers to share sweets as a way to renew their business with them. Bengali jewelers still practice this tradition.
The festivities of Pohela Boishakh include people singing and participating in parades and fairs. Singers perform traditional songs, welcoming the New Year.
This occasion means dressing up and wearing new clothes. Some women put flowers of white and red color combination in their hair. Women dress in white saris with red borders, while men tend to wear Dhoti and Kurta.
A common celebration among the Bengali community members in India and across the border in Bangladesh is celebrating the festival with Tagore's musical invocation, i.e., Rabindra Sangeet, "Esho Hey Baisakh Esho Esho" (Come Baisakh, Come O Come!). In Kolkata, the state's film town, Tollygunge, celebrates the New Year by screening Bengali movies. This is a traditional part of Pohela Boishakh in Bengal's filmmaking industry.
Bengalis prepare and enjoy a variety of traditional foods as part of the celebrations. Some of these delicacies include Panta Bhat (watered rice), Ilish Bhaaja (fried Hilsa fish), sweet delicacies, and lots of special Bhartas.
On Pohela Boishakh, people visit their families and close friends and spend time together.
In Kolkata, the festival, and often even the entire month of Boishakh, is considered an auspicious time for marriage. Prayers are offered to Goddess Kali for the well-being and prosperity of the family.
The occasion is also regarded as auspicious for those interested in starting a new business or venture.
Conclusion
Pohela Boishakh, or the Bengali New Year, is a great occasion to celebrate the traditions and culture of the Bengali community. It is also an excellent occasion for uniting loved ones. This occasion is the time for reuniting, new beginnings, and spending enjoyable time with your near and dear ones.
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