Pohela Boishakh 2026

Full Date

April 15, 2026 All day – April 15, 2026 Night

Muhurat Timings in India

• Mangal Shobhajatra

  A vibrant procession featuring giant masks, folk dances, and traditional music, symbolizing good luck and victory over evil.

  April 15, 2026 Morning – April 15, 2026 Evening

Introduction

Pohela Boishakh is the first day of the Bengali calendar, celebrated as the New Year by Bengalis. The festival highlights cultural heritage, family bonds, and the start of the harvest season.

Other Names

Bengali New Year, Noboborsho, Naba Barsha

Pooja Vidhi

• Start the day with prayers to Goddess Durga and other deities.
• Prepare traditional Bengali sweets and delicacies.
• Organize cultural programs and community fairs.
• Recite auspicious verses and family elders bless younger members.

Rituals

• Wearing new clothes and cleaning the home.
• Family gatherings with special dishes including Panta Bhat and Ilish (Hilsa fish).
• Participating in cultural parades called Mangal Shobhajatra, showcasing folk art and traditions.
• Exchange of greetings wishing prosperity and happiness: 'Shubho Noboborsho'.

Regional Highlights

• Widely celebrated in West Bengal, Bangladesh, Tripura, and Assam’s Barak Valley.
• Recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage for its Mangal Shobhajatra.
• Focuses on cultural identity, harvest, and community unity.

History

The Bengali calendar was introduced by Emperor Akbar to align the lunar Islamic calendar with the solar agricultural calendar, facilitating tax collection and harvest activities. The festival has roots in the traditional harvest rituals.

Additional Information

• Pohela Boishakh is a celebration of spring harvest and new beginnings.
• Festivities foster cultural pride and social harmony among Bengali communities.
• Traditional arts and crafts are prominently featured during the celebrations.