Bengali · Kannada
Bengali New Year
The first day of the Hindu solar calendar, coinciding with the Sun entering Mesha (Aries).
The Bengali new year, counted in Bangabda. Businesses open Haal Khata, new account books, and invite customers for sweets. In Bangladesh, the Mangal Shobhajatra procession in Dhaka is a UNESCO-listed intangible heritage element. Largely a cultural rather than religious festival.
Panta bhat with fried hilsa is the signature Pohela Boishakh meal, especially in Bangladesh.