What is Pohela Boishakh?
[[Image:Pohela boishakh 2.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Bengali New Year celebration in [[Dhaka]], [[Bangladesh]].]] '''Pôhela Boishakh''' ('''Bengali New Year''') is the first day of the [[Bengali calendar]]. It is on 14 April in [[Bangladesh]] and 15 April in other places. The holiday is celebrated in [[Bangladesh]] and the [[India]]n state of [[West Bengal]]. It is also celebrated in [[Bengali people|Bengali]] communities in the other Indian states like [[Assam]], [[Tripura]], [[Jharkhand]] and [[Odisha]] and all over India as well where the Bengali community is. It is the same day as the New Year's Days of many [[Southern Asia]]n calendars. In [[Bangladesh]], it is a national holiday . In [[Bengali language|Bengali]], Pohela means ‘first’. Baisakh is the first month of the Bengali calendar.<ref>[http://dhruvplanet.com/4852/bengali-new-year-rsho-2012-pohela-boishakh-1419-sms-text-messages-wishes-greetings-and-orkut-scraps/ Pohela Boishakh - Nabo Barsho - Bengali New Year Wishes]</ref> ''Boishakhi'' fairs are held in many parts of the country. Various agricultural products, traditional handicrafts, toys, cosmetics, as well as various kinds of food and sweets are sold at these fairs. The fairs also provide entertainment, with singers and dancers. They present folk songs. Among other attractions of these fairs are puppet shows and merry-go-rounds. ==References== {{Reflist}} ==Other websites== {{commons cat-inline|Pahela Baishakh celebrations}} [[Category:Festivals in Asia]] [[Category:Bangladeshi culture]] [[Category:West Bengal]]