Bengali New Year or Bihu

Significance and History
Both Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh) and Bihu are significant regional festivals celebrated in India, marking the beginning of the new year and the harvest season. They hold cultural and agricultural importance and are celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy.

Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh):

Pohela Boishakh, also known as the Bengali New Year, is celebrated on the first day of the Bengali lunar calendar, usually falling in mid-April. It marks the start of the new year for Bengali people, and it is a day for new beginnings and celebrations. The day is marked with cultural events, traditional food, and family gatherings.

Historically, Pohela Boishakh was introduced by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century as a way of organizing tax collection. Over time, it became a major cultural festival for Bengalis across the world. It also symbolizes the abundance of the harvest and the hope for a prosperous year ahead.

Bihu (Assamese New Year):

Bihu is the Assamese New Year celebrated in the Indian state of Assam. The most important of the three Bihu festivals is Rongali Bihu, celebrated in mid-April, which marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is an ancient festival associated with the agrarian lifestyle of Assam, where the farmers celebrate the new season, the end of the harvest, and the start of a new agricultural cycle.

Bihu is celebrated with song, dance, and traditional feasts, where the people of Assam dress in traditional attire and perform the Bihu dance, a folk dance that symbolizes the joy of the harvest.

Traditional Observances for Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh):

• Traditional Pujas: Devotees perform rituals and prayers in the morning to seek blessings for prosperity, happiness, and good health in the new year.
• Ritual Bathing: Many people take a holy bath to purify themselves and start the year afresh.
• New Clothes: Wearing new clothes is an important tradition to signify a fresh start.
• Traditional Feast: A special Pohela Boishakh feast is prepared, including panta bhat (fermented rice), hilsa fish, sweets like roshogolla, and other Bengali delicacies.
• Cultural Programs: The day is filled with cultural programs, including traditional music, dance performances, and the recitation of poetry.
• Processions: In some regions, colorful processions and street fairs are organized, with people dancing and celebrating together.

Traditional Observances for Bihu:

• Bihu Pujas: The day begins with the worship of the cattle and tools used in farming, as a mark of respect for the agricultural work.
• Traditional Bihu Dance and Songs: The highlight of Bihu celebrations is the Bihu dance, performed to the rhythm of dhol (drums), and Bihu songs.
• Feasts and Sweets: Families prepare and share traditional Assamese dishes, including larus (sweet balls) and pithas (rice cakes).
• New Clothes: People wear traditional Assamese attire for the occasion. Women wear mekhela chador, while men wear dhoti and kurta.
• Social Gatherings: Bihu is a time for family gatherings, and people visit their relatives and neighbors to exchange blessings and good wishes.

Celebration at Krushna Dham Delaware
At Krushna Dham Delaware, we celebrate Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh) and Bihu with a blend of traditional rituals, cultural performances, and community activities.

For Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year):

• Morning Prayers and Rituals: The day starts with special pujas to honor Lord Vishnu and Lord Ganesha, asking for blessings for the new year.
• Traditional Feast: We prepare a delicious Bengali spread that includes hilsa fish, panta bhat, and sweets like roshogolla and mishti doi (sweet yogurt).
• Cultural Programs: Devotional music and dance performances, including Rabindra Sangeet and folk dances, are organized by our community members.
• Art Exhibitions and Workshops: We showcase traditional Bengali art and crafts, and workshops are conducted to engage children and adults alike in Bengali culture.

For Bihu (Assamese New Year):

• Bihu Dance and Songs: Devotees participate in a special Bihu dance and sing Bihu songs, creating an atmosphere of joy and unity.
• Traditional Assamese Food: We offer traditional Bihu food, including larus, pithas, and khar (a famous Assamese dish).
• Cultural Workshops: We organize workshops to teach the traditional Bihu dance and other cultural practices related to the festival.
• Community Engagement: The temple becomes a hub for people to come together, share blessings, and celebrate with their families and friends.

Come join us at Krushna Dham Delaware to celebrate the beauty and joy of Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh) and Bihu, and experience the vibrant cultures of Bengal and Assam!