Waking up to the merry notes of chirping birds, you freshen up and dress in your red-and-white traditional wears. Basking in the golden rays of the scorching April sun, you head out to grab a breakfast of Panta-Ilish and join the festivities. You leap with joy as the warmth of the colors, masks, festoons and the music kindles you on the inside. Living up to the title of the song, indeed, “রঙ্গে ভরা বৈশাখ আবার আইলো রে”.
With the arrival of this long awaited event, comes the decision of choosing how to spend it. Seeing Dhaka donning festive colors and getting a new look, you will come across different occasions and fairs. We bring to you a list of places to go to celebrate events with your loved ones.
Ramna Batamul
The celebrations by Chayanaut’s in-house artists start as soon as dawn breaks, under the big banyan tree at Ramna Park. With thousands joining the vibrant musical and dance recitals every year, these activities are an important way Bengalis bid the old year farewell. Having different stalls selling traditional food items and vividly colored flower garlands for hair decoration truly adds to the overall festive aura. Definitely a must-visit for all!
RABINDRA SAROBAR
This place adjacent to Dhanmondi Lake celebrates Baishakh with great grandeur. Folk songs, pitha utshob, district-based drama competitions and cultural events are organized here. Burning fanush (lanterns) are a great highlight of the celebrations.
The Westin Dhaka
In exchange of an online registration, you can celebrate Baishakh with your loved ones at The Westin Dhaka. Putul naach, bioscopes, fortune-telling bird, face painting, henna and sketch artists, stalls selling food, bangles or handicraft items and various cultural shows are the primary attractions of the event. Entry is completely free upon registration for you to have a delightful time this Baishakh.
Pan Pacific Sonargaon
Located in the heart of the city, Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel brings you an offer you wouldn’t want to miss. They will also have a big fair in the hotel lobby with stalls selling handicrafts, souvenirs and a lot more. But that’s not all! The ultimate dining experience is also being offered with Buffet Lunch/Dinner offers at Café Bazar at BDT 3000, Set Menu Platter at Lobby Lounge at BDT 1000 and BBQ at Pool Café at BDT 3000.
Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort
Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort is also organizing an event to celebrate the Bengali New Year in full action. A children’s art competition will take place, along with a Baul-Ashor (Live Bangla folk song session) and a Mangal Shobajatra featuring decorated elephants, carriages, horses, masks and other decors on the day of Pohela Baishakh. For the art competition, you need to register for your little ones and bring all necessary materials on the event day. Prizes will also be given to the little Pablo Picassos with the best paintings. A special buffet lunch and dinner are available at BDT 2759++ which will showcase a variety of traditional Bengali food. ‘Buy one Get one’ offers are also available to card holders of Dhaka Regency Premier Club, City AMEX, DBBL, MTB, SCB and UCBL. Hurry up and make your reservations before the day arrives!
Ascott Hotels Dhaka
‘Ascott Borshoboron’ is an event being held by Ascott Hotels Dhaka. An assortment of delectable traditional drinks, dishes and desserts are available at the buffet dinner for BDT 3200 at their Chill N’ Grill Rooftop Restaurant. Live traditional folk music, fun boishakhi gifts and lots of other exciting activities will be available for guests. Ascott Hotel also offers free entry to kids below the age of 10 and a ‘Buy one Get one’ offer to cardholders of certain selected banks.
Hotel Amari Dhaka
Hotel Amari brings you two offers for this Baishakh. The event “8 Mishali” gives you a variety of traditional delicacies from the 8 divisions of Bangladesh, on April 13th and 14th. Additionally, a colorful fair, open to all, will also be held with bioscopes, fortune tellers, bangle and flower sellers and so on.
The Raintree Dhaka
With decorations ornamenting the hotel and various activities being offered, Hotel Raintree Dhaka creates a spectacular venue for you to enjoy your Baishakh. Their restaurant Aioli offers a glorious buffet dinner with 101 items, consisting of dinner dishes and traditional feasts. A live phuchka bar will also be there. This offer is available for BDT 2999 (all inclusive), with “Buy one get one” offers for certain banks’ cardholders. The event will take place from 4PM to 11PM at Aioli.
Along with these events taking place, the lively, colorful celebrations of Baishakh also take place in Bangla Academy and Charukola.
Ride the creaky Nagordola, indulge yourself in traditional delights, get that face painting, sing your hearts out to ‘Esho he Boishakh” and have a fun-day with your loved ones. Shubho Noboborsho!
