Bengali New Year

Bengalis celebrate New Year during the month of Baisakh that is the first month of the Bengali calendar. It is celebrated on thirteenth or fourteenth of April that is the first day of the Baisakh month. Bengali New Year marks a new start for the Bengalis and thereby set new goals for them.

People spend maximum time to clean their houses and decorate the place. To highlight the place they use flour to make designs in front of their houses. The designs have a pot in the middle that is made up of clay, decorated with a red and white color swastika and is filled with vermilion and holy water. The pot also has a branch of mango tree that has five twigs and few leaves. The ritual of placing this pot is a symbol of good wealth for the family.

The month of Baisakh is considered to be the most favorable month for any new beginning like marriage, new business project or any other auspicious occasion. The first day of the month is known as the Poila Baisakh and people wear new clothes on this day and visit temples to worship God. A tradition of Prabhat Pheri is also followed in the morning to greet the first day of the New Year. Women generally wear white sarees with red borders and men are dressed in kurta and dhoti to be a part of Prabhat Pheri.