Poila Baisakh is the New Year day of
West Bengal, with ‘Baisakh’ (April-May) being the first month of the Bengali calendar. It marks the beginning of the agricultural work.
The month of Baisakh is considered auspicious for marriages and setting up of new business ventures. New account books, called ‘halkhata’, are worshipped and then opened by traders.
Special prayers are held for the welfare of the family. Procession called ‘Prabhat Pheri’ is held early in the morning to welcome the New Year. Women dress in white saris with red borders while men wear ‘dhoti’ (loincloth) and ‘kurta’ (shirt) to take part in the procession. Cultural programs are held.
