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Hindu Ashrams/Organizations
Baisakhi
HISTORY OF BENGALI CALENDER
The Bengali calendar or Bangabda is maintained in Bangladesh, West Bengal,
Assam and Tripura.It is according to the Bhaskar (Sun) Era, pioneered by
Emperor Akbar in 1584 AD.
The calendar was initially named as Tarikh-e-Elahi. The months of the
Bengali year
(or Tarikh-e-Elahi) were primarily recognized as Karwadin, Ardi, 'Vihisu, Khordad, Teer, Amardad, Shahriar, Aban, Azur, Dai, Baham and Iskander Miz. It is assumed that the present names of the months are according to the names of the stars. This is introduced from the Shakabda in 78 A.D. to honor the sovereignty of the Shaka.
THE NAMES OF
THE MONTHS DERIVING FROM STARS---
1. Baishakh from the star Bishakha
2. Jiashthya from Jaishtha
3. Ashara from Shar
4. Sraban from Srabani
5. Bhadra from Bhadrapada
6. Ashwin from Aswaini
7. Kartik from Kartika
8. Agrahayon from Agraihon
9. Poush from Poushya
10. Magh from Magha
11. Falgun from Falguni, and
12. Chaitra from Chitra stars.
Some argue that, Shashanka, king of Bengal, introduced Bengali calendar to memorialize his invasion of Assam.
CELEBRATION
OF NABABARSHA
Naba Barsha (Poila Baisakh) is a famous occasion for Bengalis. It is the
first day of the first month of Bengali year. Naba Barsha ushers a new
opening, a new anticipation, filled with delight, happiness and wealth. To
greet the New Year, Bengalis beautify their homes by drawing attractive and
colorful rangolis on the doorway with minced rice, which is
identified in Bengal as "Alpana". In the center of the drawing, a red clay
pot with a white ‘Swastika’ is placed. The pot is full with holy water and
mango leaves and it is identified as a blessed one by the Bengalis. They
offer puja to lord Ganesha and goddess Laxmi for the welfare and affluence
of the families. Ladies wear conventional sari and decorate their hair with
colourful flowers and men wear dhoti kurta. They all participate in the
processions named 'Prabhat Pheri' early in the morning to welcome the first
day of the year.The day is celebrated with feast and cultural activities.
Naba-Barsha is also popular among the tribal people in the Hilly regions.
New Year is especially colorful in the villages, with a day of sweets and
special foods, music, dance and enjoyment.
The grass, the skies, trees – every natural object seems beautiful and glows with delight and cheerfulness. To each and every Bengali, it is an occasion of joviality to be enjoyed with immense merriment, in all possible way. Special dishes are prepared on this day.
NEW BUSINESS VENTURE
Nababarsha or Poila Baishakh is also considered to be the most auspicious
month for marriages and new business venture. On this very day
businesspersons and traders buy their new accounting books to maintain their
new financial records named as ‘Haalkhata’, swastiks are drawn on it. All
the previous dues are cleared by the customers. And in turn of it shop
owners dish up delicious sweets and drinks to them and restore the business
connection with them.