Pohela Boishakh

Pohela Boishakh is the first day of the Bengali calendar which is also the official calendar of Bangladesh. A festival celebrating Bangla Noboborsho, which translates to Bengali New Year. Pohela Boishakh is a celebration of Bengali culture, cuisine and heritage. This holiday is observed by all Bengalis regardless of religious faith, creed, caste, gender, sexual orientation or age. The best part of Pohela Boishakh in Bangladesh is the festival which includes a mass procession called “Mangal Shobhajatra” and the endless spread of Bengali delicacies.

Pohela Boishakh — my absolute favorite time of the year. While other people have Christmas or Thanksgiving, I look forward to Bangla Noboborsho. Everything about this holiday — perfect spring-summer weather, traditional boishakhi feast with friends and families, beautiful red and white attire and appreciation of the bengali folk arts. But most importantly, the reason I love this holiday so much is because it is celebrated by all Bengalis regardless of religious faith. Pohela Boishakh highlights the pride of Bangladeshi people for their folk heritage irrespective of religion, creed, caste, gender, sexual orientation or age. It’s a celebration that is all encompassing, humanizing and universal.

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Recipe — Pohela Boishakh Feast

Serves: 4-6

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Here is the Pohela Boishakh 1428 Menu

• Shorshe Ilish | Hilsa Fish in a Mustard Gravy

• Loitta Shutki Bhuna | Dry Bombay Duck Curry

• Aamer Tok Dal | Sweet & Sour Lentils with Green Mango

• Roshun Pora Bhorta | Spicy Mashed Roasted Garlic

• Sheem + Chingri Bhorta | Spicy Mashed Hyacinth Beans with Shrimp

• Aloo + Dim Bhorta | Spicy Mashed Potatoes with Eggs

• Panta Bhat | Overnight Steeped + Fermented Rice

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