Bengali New Year–Noboborsho

The first day according to Bengali calendar is the Noboborsho or Poilal Boishakh. This special date of Bengali calendar is celebrated as a festival by Bengalis all over the world. Normally this Noboborsho coincides with 14 April.

How Noboborsho is celebrated in Bengal

In ancient days, during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar, celebrations of Poila Boishakh started in Bengal. During those days, landlords used to entertain their tenants in this special day. Gradually this Noboborsho festival became a part of our social life.  In the last day of Bengali month Choitra, customers of different shops clear up their dues. On Poila Boishakh, Businessman and Traders perform puja, open new account book, which is known as halkhata in Bengali for their customers and welcome them in their shops with delicious Bengali sweets and Bengali calendar.  In the morning of Noboborsho, Hindu business men and traders go to mandir for puja, huge crowd of business men is observed every year in the Tara Ma mandir of Tarapith and Kalighat. Many business houses in Bengal also celebrate this festival.

In the evening head of the family with young members of the family are seen in different shops to attend halkhata. Noboborsho is a unique festival in Bengal and all the Bengalis celebrate this day in a festive mood. Those who can afford, buy new dresses for family members. The new years’ day of Bengali calendar is not celebrated with wine, party, picnic, crackers.  In this respect Bengali new years’ day is totally unique from other parts of the world. Bengalis, Hindu and Muslims, go to Mandir, Maszid on this Noboborsho day and pray for prosperity in the coming year.  Special Bengali items are cooked at home and this is a date of get together of close relatives and friends.

On many occasions, Bengalis have deviated from their culture but so far as Noboborsho or Poila Boishakh is concerned, Bengalis celebrate this festival according to their own style and culture. In most of the areas, cultural programmes on Bengali songs are arranged. Bengalis on ‘dhoti’ can be found on this date. This day is considered as auspicious, so many new businesses start every year on Noboborsho day.  Many fairs are held every year in different part of the state on Poila Boishakh.

Ritual dates as per Bengali calendar in 2012

Are you looking for the important rituals dates for Bengalis? Dates of Marriage, Upanayan or Threading ceremony, Naming ceremony, Annaprasan,  Ekadasi, Purnima and Amavasya dates of 2012 are posted in this article.

Marriage dates according to Bengali calendar in 2012

January 18, (Magh 3) – Wednesday

January 19,(Magh 4)- Thursday

January 20,(Magh 5)- Friday

January 27,(Magh 12)- Friday

January 28,(Magh 13)- Saturday

February 8,(Magh 24)- Wednesday

February 14,(Falgun 1)- Tuesday

February 17,(Falgun 4)- Friday

February 23,(Falgun 10)- Thursday

February 24,(Falgun 11)- Friday

March 2,(Falgun 18)- Friday

February 8,(Falgun 24)- Thursday

Upanayan or Threading ceremony dates according to Bengali calendar in 2012

February 24,(Falgun 11)- Friday

February 26,(Falgun 13)- Sunday

February 27,(Falgun 14)- Monday

March 27,(Falgun 21)- Monday

April 1,(Chaitra 18)- Sunday

April 2,(Chaitra 19)- Monday

Naming ceremony dates according to Bengali calendar in 2012

January 6,(Poush 21)- Friday

January 26,(Magh 11)- Thursday

January 30,(Magh 15)- Monday

February 2,(Magh 18)- Thursday

February 3,(Magh 19)- Fridayday

February 15,(Falgun 2)- Wednesday

February 22,(Falgun 9)-  Wednesday

February 24,(Falgun 11)-  Friday

February 27,(Falgun 14)-  Monday

March 1,(Falgun 17)-  Thursday

March 5,(Falgun 21)-  Monday

March 9,(Falgun 25)-  Friday

March 23,(Chaitra 9)-  Friday

March 28,(Chaitra 14)-  Wednesday

March 29,(Chaitra 15)-  Thursday

Annaprasan ceremony dates according to Bengali calendar in 2012

January 26,(Magh 11)- Thursday

February 2,(Magh 18)- Thursday

February 24,(Falgun 11)-  Friday

February 26,(Falgun 13)-  Sunday

April 1,(Chaitra 18)- Sunday

Ekadasi dates according to Bengali calendar in 2012

January 4 – Wednesday (Poush 19) from 6.00 am to 8.05 am of  January 5- Thursday (Poush 20).

January 18 – Wednesday (Magh 3) from 9.05 am to 6.54 am of  January 19- Thursday (Magh 4).

February 3 – Friday (Magh 19) from 1.34 am to 2.58 am of  February 4 - Saturday (Magh 20).

February 17 – Friday (Falgun 4) from 7.58 am to 6.16 am of  February 18 - Saturday (Falgun 5).

March 3 – Saturday (Falgun 19) from 6.46 pm to 7.08 pm of  March 4 - Sunday (Falgun 20).

March 17 – Saturday (Chaitra 3) from 7.14 pm to 6.17 pm of  March 18 - Sunday (Chaitra 4).

April 2 – Monday (Chaitra 19) from 8.49 am to 8.09 pm of  April 3 - Tuesday (Chaitra 20).

   

                      

Purnima dates according to Bengali calendar in 2012

January 4 – Wednesday (Poush 23) from 12.24 pm to 12.54 pm of  January 5- Thursday (Poush 24).

February 7 – Tuesday (Magh 23) from 4.15 am to 3.40 am of  February 8 - Wednesday (Magh 24).

March 7 – Wednesday (Falgun 23) from 5.14 am to 3.44 pm of  March 8- Thursday (Falgun 24).

April 6 – Friday (Chaitra 23) from 3.37 am to 1.30 am of  April 7 - Saturday (Chaitra 24).

 Amavasya dates according to Bengali calendar in 2012

February 20 – Monday (Magh 7) from 1.53 pam to 12.56 pm of  February 21 - Tuesday (Magh 8).

February 21 – Tuesday (Falgun 8) from 3.33 am to 3.35 am of  February 22 - Wednesday (Falgun 9).

March 21 – Wednesday (Chaitra 7) from 6.23 pm to 7.26 pm of  March 22 - Thursday (Chaitra 8).

Dover Lane Music Festival

Read this article to know about the famous Indian classical music festival - Dover Lane music festival which is held every year in West Bengal

The Dover Lane Music Festival which is also known as The Dover Lane Music Conference is an annual festival of Indian classical music. This music festival is held in January month at Nazrul Mancha in South Kolkata of West Bengal.

The festival started in 1952. The main purpose of Dover Lane music festival is to promote and propagate Indian classical music. During the initial years, this Indian classical music festival was organised on Dover Lane, a street in Ballygaunge in Kolkata. In the early years, Dover Lane music festival had to struggle a lot. The music festival has crossed all the odd situations and now it is considered as one of the best classical music festivals. All the greats of Indian classical music are participating in Dover Lane music festival for several years. This music festival is normally organised from 22nd January to 25th January.

Characteristics of Dover Lane music festival

Classical music and late night have close relationship. Dover Lane music festival continues for four days and the performance begins late evening and ends on the next day morning. Established Indian classical musicians perform in this festival. Dover Lane music festival is a platform for young classical singers and musicians also. The young generation also gets chance here to perform in front of classical music lovers and at the same time they share the same stage with eminent musicians. Every night music lovers from Kolkata, districts of West Bengal, different parts of the country and even from other countries come to Dover Lane music festival.

Md. Ali Park Durga Puja in West Bengal

Md. Ali Park Durga Puja is a must see for Bengalis of Kolkata. This resource is on the Durga Puja of Md. Ali Park, West Bengal.

Md. Ali Park Durga Puja is one of the prestigious Durga Pujas in North Kolkata in West Bengal. The pandal, decoration with lightings every thing in Md. Ali Durga Puja is unique. Every year the puja committee comes with new concept in puja pandal.

Youth Association, established in 1970 is in charge of Md. Ali Park Durga Puja. This club spends lot of time in making their puja a grand success in every aspects starting from puja pandal to theme of the puja.

This puja committee also arrange for different social works during these festival days. Blood donation camp, donation of books to poor students etc are performed by the club every year.

How to reach Md. Ali Durga Puja

Visitors has to reach Central Avenue to visit the Md. Ali park Durga Puja. Nearest Metro Station is Mahatma Gandhi Road.

College Square Durga Puja

This article will help the visitors specially coming from other districts of West Bengal to visit the Durga Puja at College Square, Kolkata.

Durgotsav at College Square is one of the best Durga Puja in West Bengal. During the puja days, College Square takes a totally different looks specially at night. The crowd increases with the increase of night. Special light and sound effects make this place special during the Durga Puja days. Durga Puja at College Square was started 63 years back and today Durga Puja at College Square is one of the glamorous puja in West Bngal. The Durgotsav at College Square is organized by a co operated by numerous well wishers.

In College Square Durga puja, special bhog is distributedamong the devotees on the auspicious days of Ashtami. Kumari Puja and Sindoor Khela. Every year during the Durga Puja, different social activities like blood donation camp, donation of books to needy children, distribution of medicine for the needy person etc. are performed.

 How to reach College Square

Nearest landmark of the College Square Puja is Calcutta University and visitors can reach Calcutta University from any part of the city. Private and government buses are plying all the time although during Durga Puja days, the route of buses may be changed. Visitors can target three locations to enter the College Square puja and the locations are Boubazaar Crossing, Shyambajar and Hatibagan. Nearest Metro Station of College Square is Mahatma Gandhi Road.

Ahiritola Sarbojonin Durga Puja in West Bengal

In this article you will know about another Baroari or Sarbojonin heritage Durga Puja in North Kolkata in West Bengal, Ahiritola Sarbojonin Durga Puja. Durga Puja is celebrated here following the traditional Bengali rituals.

Ahiritola Durga Puja is one of the old Pujas in our state. This puja was established in 1940. Ahiritola Durga Puja is considered as one of the heritage Durga Pujas in West Bengal. During the puja days, millions of visitors come from different corner of West Bengal to visit traditional Durga Puja at Ahiritola. Organizers of the Ahiritola Durga Puja perform lots of social works along with the puja during the festival days. Traditional Dhaks are the trade mark of Ahiritola Durga Puja.

How to Reach Durga Puja pandal at Ahiritola

The Ahiritola Puja Pandal is situated in North Kolkata. Visitors can reach the location by any type of transport services available. The nearest metro station to Ahiritola is Sovabazar Metro. From Howrah, visitors can avail the launch service to reach Ahiritola Launch Ghat also and from the launch ghat, Ahiritola Durga Puja location is just 5 minutes walk. Bus services, both private and state government are available from any part of Kolkata and Howrah.

Address of the Durga Puja pandal at Ahiritola

30C, B.K Paul Avenue,

Kolkata-700005,

West Bengal,

India

Kalpataru Utsav at Dakshineswar in West Bengal

What is Kalpataru Utsav and when the religious festival is celebrated are posted in this article.

Kalpataru Utsav is an annual religious festival observed by monks of the Ramakrishna Mission on 1st January every year.

History behind the Kalpataru Utsav

In Indian myth, Kalpataru is a magical tree which fulfills the desires of a person.  On January 1 of 1886 Sri Ramakrishna revealed his original form before his disciples. At that time Sri Ramakrishna was suffering from throat cancer and was staying at the garden house in Cossipore. On January 1 of 1886 the disciples of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa Dev were in the garden where Sri Ramakrishna was staying. It was afternoon and on that auspicious day Sri Ramakrishna Dev came out his room to meet his disciples. Sri Ramakrishna Dev asked Girish Ghosh what he thinks about Sri Ramakrishna Dev. Girish Ghosh was a follower of Sri Ramakrishna Dev and his answer was "God incarnate, come to Earth out of mercy for humankind". In response of Girish Ghosh’s answer, Sri Ramakrishna answered the affirmative. After that Sri Ramakrishna passed to the trance stage and his disciples one after the other began taking his blessings. Sri Ramakrishna touched everyone and they felt a new state of consciousness. By touching his disciples, Sri Ramakrishna granted them the sight of enlightenment. Disciples and followers of Sri Ramakrishna Dev describe this incident as transformation of Sri Ramakrishna Dev into Kalpataru. Most interesting is that Sri Ramakrishna Dev died on 16 August, 1886, eight and half month after his transformation into Kalpataru. Some believes that Sri Ramakrishna Dev prepared his disciples before his death through the incidence of 1 January 1886..

Kalpataru festival is considered as an auspicious day for all devotees of Sri Ramakrishna Dev. Every year on 1st January, people from different parts of the state come to Dakshineswar.

Makar Sankranti in West Bengal

Read this article to know about the religious festival Makar Sankranti in West Bengal. This article contains the rituals associated with the auspicious day Makar Sankranti.

What is Makar Sankranti?

Makar Sankranti is one of the most important harvest festival celebrated in India. Besides having socio-geographical importance it contributes to its religious and historical significance. This festival is celebrated in different parts of India in different ways according to their culture and religion.

Date and significance

Makar Sankranti is held around 21 days starting from 20th or 23rd December showing the Sun’s Journey to the Northward direction. According to the Hindu calendar which begins around mid-December makes it an auspicious and sacred festival for any Hindu family. The festival symbolizes divinity and freedom which gives an eternal meaning to it.

Significance of name

‘Sankranti’ comes from the Sanskrit word “Indian Astrology” which means transition of ‘Surya’, the Sun from one ‘Rashi’, zodiac sign to another. “Makar Sankranti” symbolizes the transmigration of the Sun from “Dhanu” Rashi, Sgittarius to” Makara” Rashi, Capricorn. On the day the Sun travels to the house of Saturn, the lord of Makara Rashi, Zodiac Capricorn. Sun being the father of Saturn stays in his son’s house for one month. So this day also shows the importance of father- son relationship.

Celebration of Makar Sankranti in West Bengal

Sankranti is well known as Poush Sankranti in West Bengal which falls on 14th January on the English calendar celebrated as Poush Parbon. Khejurer Gur and Patali prepared from the freshly harvested paddy with the palm syrup is used to make various types of Bengali sweets known as Pithey. Goddess Laxmi is worshipped on this auspicious day.