Pohela Boishakh facts for kids
Pohela Boishakh is a super fun holiday that marks the start of the Bengali calendar! It's like New Year's Day for millions of people. This special day is usually celebrated on April 14th in Bangladesh and April 15th in other places.
It's a big celebration in Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. You'll also find Bengali communities celebrating it in other Indian states like Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, and Odisha. It's a day of joy and new beginnings!
In Bangladesh, Pohela Boishakh is so important that it's a national holiday. The words themselves tell you what it means: in the Bengali language, "Pohela" means 'first', and "Baisakh" is the very first month of the Bengali calendar.
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What is Pohela Boishakh?
Pohela Boishakh is the first day of the Bengali New Year. It's a time for everyone to celebrate new beginnings. People wish each other "Shubho Noboborsho," which means "Happy New Year!"
When is it Celebrated?
The date for Pohela Boishakh is usually April 14th in Bangladesh. In other places, like the Indian state of West Bengal, it is celebrated on April 15th. This date is also the New Year's Day for many other calendars in South Asia.
Where is it Celebrated?
Pohela Boishakh is a very important holiday in Bangladesh. It is also celebrated by Bengali people in the Indian state of West Bengal. You can find celebrations in other parts of India too, like Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
Boishakhi Fairs and Fun
One of the most exciting parts of Pohela Boishakh are the Boishakhi fairs! These lively fairs are held in many towns and villages. They are full of amazing things to see and do.
What You'll Find at the Fairs
- Shopping: You can find all sorts of cool things like traditional handicrafts, toys, and even cosmetics. Farmers also sell their fresh produce.
- Delicious Food: Get ready for yummy traditional foods and sweets! It's a great chance to try new treats.
- Entertainment: The fairs are packed with fun performances. You can watch singers and dancers perform folk songs. There are also puppet shows and merry-go-rounds for everyone to enjoy.
Mangal Shobhajatra Procession
A very special part of the celebrations in Bangladesh is the Mangal Shobhajatra. This is a colorful parade that happens on Pohela Boishakh. People carry huge masks and figures of animals and traditional symbols. It's a way to show hope for a good year ahead. UNESCO has even recognized Mangal Shobhajatra as an important part of cultural heritage!
History of Pohela Boishakh
The celebration of the Bengali New Year was started by a famous ruler named Emperor Akbar. He was a Mughal emperor who lived a long time ago.
Why Emperor Akbar Started It
Emperor Akbar wanted to make it easier to collect taxes from farmers. The old calendar didn't quite match the harvest times. So, he created the Bengali calendar. This new calendar helped farmers pay their taxes after they had harvested their crops. This made the tax collection process fairer and simpler for everyone.
Images for kids
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The new year salutation at Ramna Park
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Mangal Shobhajatra at Pohela Boishakh in Bangladesh. UNESCO recognises Mangal Shobhajatra as cultural heritage.
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Students of Charukala (Fine Arts) Institute, Dhaka University preparing masks for Pohela Boishakh
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Colorful celebration of Pohela Boishakh in Dhaka
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Poila Baisakh Festive Meal
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Children in Bangladesh carrying placards in Pohela Boishakh's rally
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Children in Bangladesh carrying colorful placards in Pohela Boishakh's rally
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Girls in Bangladesh wearing traditional saris and flower crowns at Pohela Boishakh celebration in Chittagong
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Art competition at Pohela Boishakh celebration in Chittagong
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Colorful show pieces in a Boishakhi fair stall
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Pohela Boishakh Celebration by the Women Association, Abudhabi, UAE
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A motif of sun at Mangal Shobhajatra procession in Pohela Boishakh celebration at Dhaka
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See also
In Spanish: Pohela Boishakh para niños
