Tripura: Bengalis celebrate Poila Boishakh with great fervour

Amidst an atmosphere of joy and spirituality, hundreds of Bengalis gathered at temples across the regions on Sunday to offer prayers and celebrate Poila Boishakh, marking the first day of the Bangla calendar.

Poila Boishakh, also known as Noboborsho, transcends religious and regional boundaries, uniting all ethnic Bengalis in celebration.

Ahead of Poila Boishakh, households underwent thorough cleaning and embellishment to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, heralding prosperity and auspiciousness for the coming year.
Adorned in new attire, devotees flocked to temples to seek blessings, a tradition deeply ingrained in Indian households where the young seek the guidance and blessings of their elders.

In a gesture of goodwill and longevity, women applied vermilion on each other’s foreheads and drew auspicious symbols on temple walls, symbolizing hopes for familial harmony and well-being.

Shopkeepers commenced their day by worshipping Laxmi-Narayan and Ganesha, invoking blessings for a successful and prosperous business year.

Beyond spiritual observances, Bengali communities in Tripura indulged in festivities by exchanging new clothes and gifts, preparing special delicacies, and congregating with loved ones to relish the joys of togetherness.

Interestingly, Poila Boishakh coincides with other regional festivities, including the Sikh harvest festival Vaisakhi, Assamese Bihu, and the Malayalee New Year and harvest festival Vishu, highlighting the rich tapestry of cultural diversity and celebration that marks this auspicious day.