Updated on
Summary Bangladeshis celebrate the Bengali New Year 1418 with much fanfare on Thursday.
Thousands of people in Dhaka gathered in Ramna Park, Mangal Shobhajatra, for a parade to celebrate well-being and a good year ahead. The procession started at the Institute of Fine Arts at Dhaka University. Carnival goers flocked to Baishakhi Mela, a folk festival which is a major feature of the celebrations, to enjoy foods like panta bhat (rice soaked in water) with hilsa fry, lentils and smoked chillis.One parade goers said she wished for health and happiness for all in the new year. Today is the first day of the year (Bengali Year). We have come here to celebrate and welcome the new year with joy, and I hope every day of the year will be full of happiness, said Rubi Akhtar. Bengali speakers of West Bengal and Tripura in India and in many other places around the world will celebrate Pahela Baishakh on Friday (April 15) in keeping with the original Bengli calendar.The Bengali year starts with the month Baishakh and was introduced during the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar from 1556-1605AD.
Featured
