Bengali communities around the world welcome the new year on April 14 and April 15. The celebration, also known as Pohela Boishakh, is most vibrant in Bangladesh and some northeast Indian states, such as West Bengal and Tripura.
We asked five Local Guides to tell us about the most common traditions on this day. Read on to see how they celebrate in Bangladesh and beyond, as well as how they utilize Google Maps to enjoy the festivities.
** @SumaiyaZafrin shared:**“To me, the Bengali New Year represents the celebration and cultivation of our culture, which I embrace wherever I live. As an expat in Malaysia, I miss our festivals. The Bangladeshi community here organizes a day-long celebration for Pohela Boishakh with traditional songs, food, and a cultural show.
I usually cook Bengali food at my house and invite other expats. I wear traditional sarees and @PavelSarwar wears lungi (men’s skirt) and panjabi (men’s upper garment) and we wish Bangladeshi friends “Shubho Noboborsho,” which means “Happy New Year.”
I have created a Google Maps list of Bangladeshi restaurants in Malaysia offering traditional food during this festival.”
** @Saiyen shared:**“On the morning of the New Year, I eat panta bhat with fried hilsa fish. Panta bhat is a simple dish made by soaking leftover cooked rice in water overnight.
After that, I join my friends in festivities around Chattogram, Bangladesh. We take part in Mangal Shobhajatra, a parade organized by the students of the Chattogram University Fine Arts department. We all go around the city in mukosh (masks) and garlands. Big birds and elephant dummies made of paper and bamboo are seen everywhere.
I use Google Maps to find restaurants during the day and check how long it will take me to go from one place to another.”
** @MahabubMunna shared:**“Pohela Boishakh is a time for new beginnings, and people often clean and decorate their homes and offices, wear new clothes, and prepare special food. One important tradition is the exchange of sweets and greetings with wishes for good health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year.
Another traditional practice is Halkhata — business owners open new account books and invite customers to settle their dues. It is considered an auspicious way to start the new year, and many businesses offer treats to their customers.
A popular event in Dhaka is the Dhaka University Cultural Program, featuring traditional music, dance, and poetry recitations at the Teacher-Student Center. The colorful Mangal Shobhajatra parade starts from the Charukola Gate of the Faculty of Fine Arts.
To make the most of the New Year’s festival, Google Maps is essential. It helps navigate road diversions and closures. It also comes in handy for the Local Guides meet-ups as it allows us to share locations with ease.
This year, New Year celebrations will be limited as the holiday coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and other activities from sunrise to sunset.”
** @TajkiyaNijami shared:**“[One of] the most interesting aspects of the Bengali New Year is the Boishakhi Mela, a fair to mark the day. Thousands of people flock to buy handmade items, food, and toys. It’s a significant event for weavers, blacksmiths, potters, carpenters, and craftspeople. Dhaka’s largest fair is at Ramna Botmul Park.
Some of my favorite places to visit during this time are Brindavan Government College in Habiganj and Sonargaon. There are processions and day-long cultural events in Habiganj and a century-old fair in Sonargaon.
As we explore different places and attend various programs, Google Maps helps us to easily find locations and get information about the traffic, distance, and more to plan our ride.”
** @SoniaK shared:**“My celebration here, in Texas, USA, is not as glorious as it used to be back in Bangladesh. We do not celebrate on the very day if it falls on a weekday. We do it later, usually on a weekend.
We wear traditional outfits, mostly in white and red. White symbolizes purity and red symbolizes the rising sun. We arrange a potluck party where everyone brings homemade snacks and desserts and we eat hilsa fish with a lot of bhorta, vegetarian condiments.
Usually, there is a Boishakhi Mela fair in town. This year, they are doing a huge one at Southfork Ranch on May 13.”
Happy Bengali New Year to everyone who celebrates! We’d love to see your photos from this year’s festivities in the comments below.
