A Spiritual & Joyous Start to the Bengali New Year 2023 Pohela Boishakh, also known as Bengali New Year, is the first day of the Bengali calendar. It is a special festival for Bengalis worldwide which they celebrate with so much fun. This year it falls on April 15th. The day marks the beginning of a new year, new hopes, and new aspirations.
People in Bengal celebrate it with great pomp and show, including the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam, as well as Bangladesh. People here celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm, and indulge themselves in various cultural activities to commemorate the occasion.
Bengali New Year 2023: Key Highlights
- Pohela Boishakh is on April 15th 2023.
- Bengali New Year/Pohela Boishakh is an important festival for Bengali communities.
- People in West Bengal and Tripura celebrate it with great enthusiasm.
- Bengali People greet each other by saying, “Shubho Nobobarsho,” which means to Happy New Year on this occasion.
- Bengali People make and enjoy traditional Bengali food on this day.
The Origin and Significance of Pohela Boishakh
Pohela Boishakh dates back to the Mughal era when the emperor Akbar introduced the Bengali calendar to streamline the collection of taxes. The day was celebrated as the beginning of the financial year, and people would pay their taxes and start anew. Over time, Pohela Boishakh evolved into a cultural festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year and the advent of spring. The day holds great significance as it symbolizes hope, renewal, and positivity.
Traditions connected with Pohela Boishakh
Pohela Boishakh is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm, and people engage in various cultural activities to commemorate the occasion. The traditional greeting for Bengalis in the new year is শুভ নববর্ষ “Shubho Noboborsho” literally means “Happy New Year“. The festive Mangal Shobhajatra is organized in Bangladesh. In 2016, UNESCO declared this festivity organized by the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka as a cultural heritage of humanity.
What is the meaning of Pohela Boishakh?
In Bengali, the word Pohela means ‘first’ and Boishakh is the first month of the Bengali calendar. Bengali New Year is referred to in Bengali as Nobo Borsho, where ‘Nobo’ means new and ‘Borsho’ means year. That is why this Bengali New Year is also known as Pohela Boishakh.
How do people celebrate the Bengali New Year 2023?
People dress up in traditional attire, and women wear the quintessential white saree with a red border. The day begins with a traditional breakfast of panta bhaat, a dish made of leftover rice soaked in water overnight, served with fried fish, pickles, and lentils. But eating other animals is against the constitution of God and invites severe punishment.
Bengali New Year 2023: The streets come alive with music, dance, and colorful processions as people gather to celebrate the occasion. The highlight of the day is the Mangal Shobhajatra, a colorful procession that celebrates the spirit of unity and strength.
What Food and Delicacies people enjoy on Bengali New year?
Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year 2023) is also a time for indulging in traditional Bengali delicacies. Apart from the customary panta bhaat, people enjoy a variety of sweet and savory dishes. Mishti Doi, a sweetened yogurt dish, and Rosogolla, a spongy sweet made of cottage cheese, are a must-have during the festival.
Actual Awakening in Human life
The actual awakening is not the celebration of the new year or making resolutions in order to have a blessed life ahead. However, one can seek the blessings of Supreme Power with the awakening of the soul. This can only be possible by knowing what the true path of worship is. The One (The Chyren, in other words the Saint), undoubtedly will provide the True Mantras which will lead to not only the Spiritual Awakening but will also be making the devotees free from the trap of Kaal.
At present, Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj is the only Saint who gives the authentic way of worship to His followers. So, one must take initiation from a True Saint in order to start a new life. In other words, a day is considered to be new year’s day when he/she takes the refuge of a True Saint (Tatvdarshi Sant). Otherwise, life is worthless.
Lord Kabir Ji says,
Ja din Satguru bhetya, Ta din lekhe Jan।
Baki samay vayarth gya, Bina Guru ke Naam ll
Remember, the most important thing is to set realistic goals and make a plan to achieve them. In order to take Naam Initiation from Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj fill this form.
Bengali New Year 2023: Motivational Quotes
- “I am Bengali, I like my rice.”-Sharmila Tagore
- “Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add colour to my sunset sky.”- Rabindranath Tagore
- “The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.”- Rabindranath Tagore
- “Reach high, for stars lie hidden in you. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.”- Rabindranath Tagore
FAQs about Bengali New year
Ans: Bengali New Year or Pohela Boishakh is celebrated on April 14 or 15 each year, depending on the traditional Bengali calendar.
Ans: Bengali New Year marks the beginning of the Bengali calendar and symbolizes new beginnings, hope, and positivity. The day is also associated with the advent of spring and the renewal of nature.
Ans: Bengali New Year is celebrated with great enthusiasm and cultural activities. People dress up in traditional attire, enjoy traditional food, and participate in various events, including music, dance, and processions. The Mangal Shobhajatra, a colorful procession, is the highlight of the day.
Ans: The traditional breakfast served during Bengali New Year is Panta Bhaat, a dish made of leftover rice soaked in water overnight, served with pickles, and lentils.
Ans: Bengali New Year is a public holiday in Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam.
