Noboborsho

Noboborsho, also transliterated as Noboborsho or Nabobarsha, means “new year” in Bengali. It refers to the Bengali New Year and marks the first day of the Bengali calendar year, which begins with the month of Boishakh. The date in the Gregorian calendar typically falls on 14 or 15 April, varying slightly by region and year.

Celebrations are widespread among Bengali-speaking communities in Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and the diaspora. People wear new clothes, visit relatives, and participate in fairs and cultural events. Traditional foods, especially sweet dishes and pithas, are prepared and shared. Merchants often open Halkhata, new ledgers, to symbolize a fresh financial year. In Dhaka, the Mangal Shobhajatra, a large street procession organized by students, is a prominent feature of Noboborsho; the event is widely associated with the festival and has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Origins and calendar context: The Bengali calendar is a traditional solar calendar used by Bengali communities, with Boishakh as its first month. Noboborsho denotes the start of the new year according to this calendar and is observed with a blend of secular and religious customs across different communities in Bengal.

Significance: As a major cultural occasion, Noboborsho functions as a time of renewal, social reconciliation, and communal celebration. In addition to country-specific public holidays, the festival is observed by Bengali-speaking people worldwide through organized programs, performances, and community gatherings.