Poila Boishak : Here`s the itinerary to kickstart the first day of the Bengali New Year

Here is your bucket list of places you can go on Poila Boishakh to kick-start your new year.

Poila in Bengali means the first and Boishakh is the first month of the traditional Bangla calendar. Kolkata rejoice the start of their new year with festivities that come next to Durga Puja..

People offer prayers for the well-being and prosperity of the family. The day of this festivity is also a day of cultural events, good food and new clothes.

Here is your bucket list of places you can go on Poila Boishakh to kick-start your new year.

Things to do on Poila Boisakh

Head to the ghats for the early morning prayers

A holy dip at the mighty Ganga or Hoogly river of Kolkata is a necessity amonst all the religious people. Usually on the occasion of Pohela (commonly referred to as Poila) Boishakh, Bengalis dress up in their new clothes (get that wardrobe ready!) and many start their day with prayers to their ancestors by the River Hooghly.

If you are not a dip fanatic, you can still start your day strolling at the picturesque Princep Ghat or taking a joy ride on one of the boats in Belur  or Dakhineshwar Kali Mandir.

Get mesmerized by the combined chants while you enjoy the cool breeze blowing over the Hooghly.

The Bengalis` love for good food comes through best on this auspicious occasion, especially, when it comes to mishti (sweets). Bengalis believe it`s a good omen to start everything on a sweet note. And the Nobo Borsho is no exception.

Gorge on the "kochuri and jalebi" at Gariahat. You might end up in a queue at the most popular eatery outlets. The mop shop at the corner of your home lane is all worth giving a chance

Explore Hooghly on a boat

On the Bengali New Year, the Hooghly River pulls a lot of crowd to its banks. A burst of activities begin at the crack of dawn! However, we recommend that you hire a boat in the evening to explore the river. To feel like a quintessential Bong, carry your camera and your favorite book of poetry. The panoramic views of the illuminated Howrah Bridge and the Vidyasagar Setu are bound to fill you with a sense of wonder.

Eat out at Park Street and Tangra

It is a well-known fact that Bengalis love to eat. Poila Boishakh sees Bengalis opting to do just that -- in style. Dressed in their best attires, you will find the residents of Kolkata thronging to Tangra, which is Kolkata`s China Town. If you are enthusiastic about gorging on the traditional Bengali delicacy you can opt at various restaurants that bring out `Noboborsho` special delicacies!

Here do you shop for the Bengali New Year
In Kolkata, people believe that the best time to get married is the month of Boishakh. Shop keepers try to make the best of this opportunity and offer huge sales and discounts throughout the previous month, which is more commonly known as "Chaitra sale" on apparels and accessories.

Gariahat Market

This market area has everything to offer – from cosmetics to gadgets, from books to readymade garments, from shoes to bags to various home decors. It is a great place for hardline bargainers to be.

New Market

From Gariahat, you should be visiting another iconic market of Kolkata, the New Market, which is almost an institution itself! It is situated inside a redbrick building on Lindsay Street.

 


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