Chaitra Sankranti today

The people of Bangladesh are celebrating the traditional Chaitra Sankranti festival today (April 13) saying goodbye to the running Bangla year 1431.

Chaitra Sankranti is an age-old festival of rural Bangla which marks the last day of a Bangla year. The Bangla calendar is solar, with the year beginning on Pahela Baishakh. People from all walks of life celebrate the Baishakhi festival with great enthusiasm.

Chaitra is the last month of Basanta (spring season) in Bangla calendar. Its celebration is more widespread in rural areas. It is the day before Pahela Baishakh (the first day of Bangla calendar).

On Chaitra Sankranti, the Bangalees bid farewell to the outgoing Bangla year before welcoming the Noboborsho through different festivities.

In many places, including the capital, Chaitra Sankranti is celebrated by arranging fairs, musical events and other festivities.

The Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs has taken the initiative to bring out the Baisabi procession in the capital today.

Men, women and young people from small ethnic groups speaking 10 tribal languages will join the Baisabi festival in colourful costumes.

On Chaitra Sankranti, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has organized a Chaitra Sankranti concert at Suhrawardy Udyan.