Pohela Boishakh, also known as Naba Barsha (নববর্ষ), is the first day of the Bengali calendar. The word Pohela means first, and Boishakh is the name of the first month of the Bengali year. Bengali communities across the globe gear up to welcome Pohela Boishakh 2025, a festival that celebrates tradition, renewal, and cultural pride.
It is also known as Noboborsho, this vibrant festival is much more than just a New Year's celebration; it is a time to embrace heritage, hope, and happiness. The auspicious festival is celebrated in West Bengal, Tripura, Jharkhand, Assam and Bangladesh.
Pohela Boishakh | X/ @LingBabyisMine
About Pohela Boishakh
The vibrant festival of Pohela Boishakh will be observed on Tuesday, April 15. According to Drik Panchang, the Sankranti muhurat, which marks the solar transition into the month of Boishakh, started at 3:30 AM and will end on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. This transition marks the official beginning of the Bengali New Year.
What are the rituals and ways to celebrate Pohela Boishakh?
Pohela Boishakh is a celebration marked by family gatherings, new clothes, and traditional meals. On this auspicious day, people wake up early and take a bath before sunrise. They clean their homes and decorate them with Alpna, a traditional form of Rangoli. Dressed in new clothes, they visit temples and exchange greetings with one another.
On this day, businesses initiate new accounting books, and cultural fairs are held featuring music and dance. Bengalis around the world prepare delicious traditional dishes like "Panta Bhat" (fermented rice) and "Ilish Bhaja" (fried Hilsa fish) to share with their community, friends, and family. Additionally, communities organise Prabhat Pheris, which are morning processions to celebrate the New Year.
Pohela Boishakh 2025 | X/ @PiyushGoyal
Significance of Pohela Boishakh
Pohela Boishakh is a significant festival that holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning for Bengalis around the world. The origins of the Bengali calendar are often attributed to King Shoshangko, an ancient ruler of Bengal, who is believed to have established the Bengali era around 594 CE. Pohela Boishakh coincides with the harvest season, making it a celebration that not only marks the beginning of a new year but also expresses gratitude for nature's bounty and prosperity.
