THE BENGALI New Year was celebrated with fervour throughout the State Capital on Saturday with people offering prayers, traders opening new account books (haalkhata) and a slew of cultural programmes. ‘Poila Baisakh’ (first day of Bengali month of Baisakh) morning saw hundreds of traditional Bengali people queuing up at Kali Bari to offer obeisance.
Dressed in traditional dhoti-kurta and saris, people offered prayers for a prosperous 1413 (as per the Bengali almanac). Youngsters sought the blessings of family elders, even as people exchanged greetings and called up relatives and acquaintances.
Keya Dutta, a homemaker when contacted on cellphone said that she is in Kolkata to celebrate Poila Baisakh with her parents who are settled there. “This morning, I went to Kalighat where people made a beeline for the temples. The festive mood has gripped the city despite frantic election campaign and unbearable heat.” When asked to describe the mood there, she said: “Clad in new clothes, people were seen embracing each other. Many amongst them went for an outing as well.” Before hanging up the phone, she said: “We’ll be enjoying the best of prawns and mishti (sweets).” Back in Lucknow, Bengali families cooked the choicest of cuisines. Several mouthwatering recipes of fish and other sweet dishes left all licking their fingers. Old Bengali shops did not lag behind as they distributed sweets to customers and gave away the new Bengali calendar.
The culturally inclined thronged the cultural centres of the state capital in the evening. The main function was held at the Bengali Club. A variety-entertainment programme was also held here.
{{/usCountry}}The culturally inclined thronged the cultural centres of the state capital in the evening. The main function was held at the Bengali Club. A variety-entertainment programme was also held here.
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