As we end another Bangla New Year (Poela Boishakh), I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a prosperous year ahead. Throughout West Bengal, this occasion is marked by numerous festivals and events. As for the other parts of the country, Poela Boishakh also coincides with other regional festivals, Baisakhi in Punjab, Vishu in Kerala, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, and Bihu in Assam. Best wishes to them as well.

Whenever I find time, I try to revisit history through books or ‘Google research’. Bangla New Year is no exception. There are several interesting facts that I came across and wanted to share with you. Feel free to share any knowledge that you may have on the topic so that we all can be enriched.

We will be entering the Year 1430 (or Bangabdo, as it is known) in the Bangla calendar. Most states follow the Hindu Vikrami calendar, starting in 57 BCE. But the Bangla calendar started in 594 CE and is said to be based on Surya Siddhanta, a Sanskrit text on astronomy. Though I read that we have evidence of the word Bangabdo on the walls of a few ancient temples, the most common perception is that the Bangla calendar was started by King Shashanka, the emperor of unified Bengal (then called Gauda Desh). Coincidentally, the Bangla language was also known as Gauḍiya Bhasha earlier.

Coming back to the occasion, Poela Boishakh, the first day (Poela) of the first month (Boishakh) is said to be later realigned with the climate of the region. The Hijri calendar used by the emperors did not align with the harvest season of eastern India. The lunar dates came a few days earlier making it difficult for the farmers to pay taxes when the entire income was dependent on agriculture. The realignment meant that the taxes would be paid on the last date of Chaitra and Poela Boishakh will be celebrated with a clean slate.

The tradition, with the changes of time, continues through the ritual of ‘Haal Khata’, where customers visit shops and other businesses and pay off their dues so that both sides can enjoy the New Year together. I find this a unique display of brotherhood between the provider and the customer, something we should be proud of.

As I end this blog, and as no blog on Bangla traditions can be complete if we leave out our eastern neighbours, I would like to make a mention of ‘Mongal Shobhajatra’ that is celebrated in Bangladesh, which has found its place in the list of intangible cultural heritage made by UNESCO, categorised as a heritage of humanity.