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‘Phul phutuk, nah phutuk, aaj Boshonto’

When translated, it means ‘flowers blossom or not, today is Boshonto’.

Say goodbye to wintry blues as Spring is here to greet you at the door.
Pohela means first and Falgun is the month of Spring in the Bengali calendar. Pohela Falgun usually falls on the 13th of February in the Gregorian calendar. Our country celebrates the arrival of Spring every year in great spirits and colorful manners. Boshonto Utshob is another name for the celebrating Pohela Falgun. Many Indian states including Assam, Tripura, and Jharkhand celebrate Pohela Falgun other than our country.

The celebration of Falgun was started back in 1991 by students of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University. Since then, Jatiya Boshonto Utshab Udjapan Parishad carries out the main programs of the day now, even after almost three decades. All kinds of celebrations take place in the DU, more commonly known as the cultural hub of Dhaka. This still happens to be one of the best places to visit on Pohela Falgun.

Places to visit on Pohela Falgun

One of the best places to visit on Pohela Falgun is the entire DU campus
One of the best places to visit on Pohela Falgun is the entire DU campus

You’ll never be bored in Dhaka since there is always something going on. Since February is the month of events, there are a string of occasions you can go to. The DU campus and Ekushey Boi Mela easily becomes the best premises for spending quality time with friends and family on the day. Upon visiting Bakultala at the Faculty of Fine Arts, you can experience live music, poetry recitations, dances, and rallies. Places to visit on Pohela Falgun includes Rabindra Shorobor in Dhanmondi and Bahadur Shah Park in Old Dhaka where you can get a scope for entertainment with carnivals and music soirees.

On the other hand, Ekushey Boi Mela is a month-long event that the literary lovers can’t miss out! One of the things to do in Pohela Falgun is to visit the national book fair. You can check different book stalls where visitors can have a meet-and-greet with authors and take your picks from the best of Bengali literature.

Things to do in Pohela Falgun

Women can be seen worn colorful bangles on Pohela Falgun
Women can be seen worn colorful bangles on Pohela Falgun

There are plenty of things to do in Pohela Falgun. Hundreds of people rejoice on this occasion; women wear traditional clothing such as saree and kameez in vibrant colors of Yellow, Orange, and Red that symbolize Falgun. Beautiful flower wreaths and colorful bangles can be seen on women including Spring flowers such as shimul, polash, and Marigold, representing the arrival of warm sunshine, budding flowers and dancing of birds. As we embrace ourselves in the festivities, the advent of Falgun wipes away the chilling elements of Winter and replaces it with the touch of sunshine and colors of Spring. Regardless of age, people from all walks of life gather around for celebrating Pohela Falgun. 

Many other public and private institutions there are cultural programs marking the day. Institutions such as Jahangirnagar University and Chhayanaut also organize spectacular cultural events to celebrate Boshonto Utshob. There are also many fairs located in different areas in Dhaka where you can find an array of things such as jewelry, flowers, foods that depict our locality like chotpoti, fuchka, cotton candy, jhalmuri and a delicious assortment of pithas.

What are your plans for celebrating Pohela Falgun? Let us know in the comment section below!

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