Bengali Calendar 2024 April
In 2023, I had the opportunity to experience the Bengali New Year celebration in Kolkata. It was an amazing experience to witness the traditional rituals and customs associated with this festival. As we approach Bengali Calendar 2024 April, let’s take a closer look at the events and festivals that are celebrated during this month.
Events and Festivals in Bengali Calendar 2024 April
During the month of April in the Bengali Calendar, the following events and festivals are celebrated:
- Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh)
- Buddha Purnima
- Rabindra Jayanti
- Noboborsho
Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh)
Bengali New Year, also known as Pohela Boishakh, is the most significant festival in Bengal. It falls on the 14th or 15th of April and marks the beginning of the Bengali calendar. People celebrate this festival by wearing new clothes, visiting friends and family, and feasting on traditional Bengali delicacies. The streets are decorated with colourful banners, and cultural programmes are organised in various parts of the city.
Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima is a Buddhist festival that falls on the full moon day in April. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. People visit Buddhist temples and offer prayers and offerings. The day is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Bodh Gaya, the place where Buddha attained enlightenment.
Rabindra Jayanti
Rabindra Jayanti is celebrated on the 25th of April to commemorate the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, the famous Bengali poet, writer, and philosopher. On this day, various cultural programmes are organised, and people pay tribute to Tagore by singing his songs and reciting his poems.
Noboborsho
Noboborsho, also known as Bengali New Year’s Day, is celebrated on the first day of the Bengali calendar. It is a public holiday, and people celebrate it by organising cultural programmes, feasting on traditional Bengali dishes, and exchanging greetings and gifts with friends and family.
Question and Answer
Q. What is the significance of Bengali New Year?
A. Bengali New Year, also known as Pohela Boishakh, marks the beginning of the Bengali calendar. It is a significant festival in Bengal, and people celebrate it by wearing new clothes, visiting friends and family, and feasting on traditional Bengali delicacies.
Q. When is Buddha Purnima celebrated?
A. Buddha Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day in April. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha.
Q. Who is Rabindranath Tagore?
A. Rabindranath Tagore was a famous Bengali poet, writer, and philosopher. He was the first Indian to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.
FAQs
Q. What are some traditional Bengali dishes that are prepared during Bengali New Year?
A. Some of the traditional Bengali dishes that are prepared during Bengali New Year include fish curry, mishti pulao, cholar dal, and sandesh.
Q. How is Buddha Purnima celebrated in Bodh Gaya?
A. Buddha Purnima is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Bodh Gaya, the place where Buddha attained enlightenment. People visit Buddhist temples and offer prayers and offerings. Cultural programmes are organised, and people participate in various activities.
Q. What is the significance of Rabindra Jayanti?
A. Rabindra Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, the famous Bengali poet, writer, and philosopher. People pay tribute to Tagore by singing his songs and reciting his poems.