Chaitra is the last month of the Bengali year and Chaitra Sankranti is celebrated on the last day of the month which is also the last day of the Bengali Calendar. Just like the first day of the Bengali year (Pohela Baishakh), Chaitra Sankranti has also been celebrated throughout the country every year. Numerous activities such as Puja, fairs and other related activities are planned centering this folk festival every year.
Chaitra Sankranti
Chaitra Sankranti is one of those traditional Bengali festivals that are celebrated across the country and has been for years. But each part of the country has different ways of celebrating the festivals. Charak Puja, Khejur Vanga, Sharbat, Shakanno, Shak Kurano, Neel Uthshab, Biju or Baishabi Uthshab are some of the activities that are widely popular across the country. As Shiva and Kali meet in the full bloom of Chaitra Sankranti, devotees are busy organizing this Charak Puja in a grandiose. Charak Puja is organized every year in Khulna in the hope of being blessed by a child, relieved from an incurable disease or for fulfilling one’s desire. With the Charak Puja, Khejur Vanga festival is also celebrated in Khulna. But not only in Khulna, this happens throughout the country.
Nothing related to fish and meat is prepared on this day. Sharbat and traditional food such as chatu, chira, card, khai, and naru made from coconut are prepared in the morning. On the other hand, different kinds of spinach, dal, vegetables, and rice are prepared for lunch. Like these, there is an umpteen number of traditional activities that are planned throughout the day. A lot of events are also planned to celebrate the day in Dhaka as well. Other than Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, numerous socio-cultural institutes also organize various arrangements to welcome the day. Dhaka University, National press club, Dhaka Reporters Unit, and the major educational institutes also take initiatives to celebrate this traditional folk festival. Fairs, the kite festival, lathi khela (very popular in the rural parts of Bangladesh), puthi path, puppet play, and pala gaan gambhira are some of the folk-cultural activities that are arranged to celebrate the last day of the year. Personally, Chaitra Sankranti and all the festivals that come with it feel closer to home than Pohela Baishak.
Celebrating Chaitra Sankranti from Home
All the festivals that come with Chaitra Sankranti can be celebrated from your home too. Since we all are amid a crisis now being home quarantined, celebrating festivals like Chaitra Sankranti from home will not only create some unforgettable memories but also give you a sense of progression in this motionless situation. But how do you celebrate such a grand event from your home?
How to Celebrate
First of all, make sure your house is all cleaned up. Take your cleaning kit out and clean everything. Get rid of clutter, organize each of your rooms in the house, rearrange your furniture for a new look if you want to. But if you want to revamp your house decor, why not bring some Bengali touch to your home decor. Start with your drawing room since this room tends to get crowded first. Give your drawing room a new look with these amazing drawing room decoration tips!
Dressing up for the day will automatically bring out the vibe. Then all you have to do is maintain the flow. For example, when it comes to cooking and preparing traditional delicacies, include everyone in your family. That will create some unforgettable moments for your kids. It is always better to engage in activities throughout the day. Plan ahead. Divide your day into different segments. If possible, choose different themes for each of the segments of your day and select activity based on the theme.
Do something more generic like watch a movie together with your family or plan a fun photoshoot session in your beautiful balcony or living room. Go, bring out the guitar that you didn’t have time to play before. Set off an awesome show. Furthermore, use the help of technology and have an online get together with your loved ones over video.
It is very unlikely that on an occasion such as this no one can go outside and celebrate Chaitra Sankranti. But this is what the current situation demands. Stay home, stay safe and follow these aforementioned ideas to liven up your home and celebrate Chaitra Sankranti.
