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Pahela Baishakh is the first day of the first month of Bangla year.

The day is celebrated in a festive manner in both Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. In Bangladesh, it is celebrated on April 14 of the Gregorian calendar.Pahela Baishakh is a national holiday in Bangladesh. Celebrations of Pahela Baishakh started from Emperor Akbar’s reign.Moreover, we celebrate the day formerly to welcome the Bangla Year. We welcome the day by singing the song ‘Eso he Baishakh eso eso’ (Come O Baishakh, come, come). The day is celebrated all over the country. People wish each other "Shubo Nabo Borsho!" But the main attraction of the day is at Ramna Batamul in Dhaka. On this day, rural people prepare special foods. They also arrange fairs at important places. On this day, shopkeepers decorate their shops and open ‘Halkhata’ (fresh account book) and offer sweets to their customers and clients. Urban people celebrate the day with much delight and interest. They eat Panta Bhat (cooked rice soaked with water), green chilies, onion, and fried hilsha fish in the morning. A large number of people wear traditional Bengali dresses: young women wear white sarees with red borders and adorn themselves with bangles, flowers, and tips. Young boys wear Punjabis and pajamas. Students and teachers of the Institute of Fine Arts of University of Dhaka take out a colourful procession called"Mongal Shova Jatra" on Pahela Baishakh. Different organisation such as Bangla Academy, Shilpakala Academy, Chhayanat etc organise cultural functions in their respective premises. Actually, the day reminds us of our Bangla culture and tradition. Pahela Baishakh marks a new beginning, a new hope, a year full of joy, well-being and prosperity.