SEC-S17W3: "National Festival"

Hello friends,
This is the third week of competition for Steem Engagement Challenge Season- 17 by Steem for Bangladesh Community. Subject of Engagement : SEC-S17W3: "National Festival"
Festivals generally refer to joyous events celebrated in social, religious, and traditional contexts. All people irrespective of caste and religion enjoy the festival in Bangladesh. Bengalis are a festive nation. There are also slogans around the festival in Bangladesh such as "Thirteen Parbans in Twelve Months of Bengal" and "Dharma Jaar Jaar, Utsav Sbarbar". Popular folk festivals in Bengal include Pahela Baisakh, Chaitra Sankranti, Navanna etc. Religious festivals of Muslims include Eid al-Fitr and Eid.

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What is the national festival of your country? How did it start

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Pahela Boishakh is a traditional Bengali festival of Bangladesh that is widely celebrated among the Bengali community all over the world. It usually falls on April 14 every year as the first day of the Bengali calendar. The festival has its roots in the agricultural cycle with the arrival of spring and harvest. It is a time of joy and cultural festivals. People dress in traditional clothes participate in colorful processions and enjoy various cultural events including music, dance, and traditional food. Pahela Baisakh has been celebrated for centuries but its modern form owes much to the efforts of the Bengali nationalist movement in the early 20th century.

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Pahela Boishakh emerged as the key symbol of this cultural revival. A significant event in the history of Pahela Baisakh was the establishment of the Bangla Academy in Dhaka in 1955. The academy plays an important role in the promotion of Bengali language literature and culture and it organizes Pahela Boishakh celebrations. Pahela made the Boishakh festival more popular. It brings people together to celebrate their common ancestry and ring in the new year joyfully and with hope from all walks of life.

How is this festival celebrated? Are there any special rules for celebrating it?

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Pahela Boishakh, also known as Bengali New Year, is celebrated with great fervor among Bengali communities across the world. The festival marks the beginning of the Bengali calendar year and is common.
Some special rules for celebrating Pahela Baisakh:
As a rule, Pahela Baisakh does not have any special rules for celebration, but people observe customs and traditions related to the festival.

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Traditional Dress: People dress up in Bengali dress. For women, this means wearing colorful sarees while men wear Punjabi or kurta pajama.

Festival food: Special food is prepared for this occasion including Panta Vaat, Hilsa Vapa, Pitha, and various sweet dishes. Varnata Shobhayatra known as Mangal Shobhayatra is a procession in which people from all walks of life participate wearing masks and carrying banners marking various social issues. Cultural programs consisting of traditional music, dance, drama, and poetry recitation are organized in different parts of the country. Baisakhi fairs are held in many places where artisans and traders sell various handicrafts, traditional items, and food. Gatherings of friends and family plan feasts and festivities to commemorate the occasion. Pahela Boishakh Ananda is a time of cultural pride and bonding of wealth.

Are there any special outfits or foods for celebrating your national festival?

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Yes, traditional clothes are often worn to celebrate Pahela Baisakh, especially men wearing Punjabi and women wearing white or colored cloth sarees. Food plays an important role in Pahela Baisakh celebrations.

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Some of the popular foods enjoyed on Pahela Baisakh include:
Panta Vaat: Rice soaked in water, often served with fried fish and onions.
Hilsa Vapa: Steamed Hilsa fish is a delicacy enjoyed this time of the year.
Bhuna Khichuri: A savory dish made with spices often served with meat or vegetables.
Prawn Malaikari: A creamy prawn curry cooked with coconut milk.
These dishes vary regionally but are part of the joyous feast of Pahela Boishakh celebrations.

Tell us about your favorite memory from celebrating your national festival.

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Bengali New Year, Pahela Baishakh is always a joyful and colorful event full of vibrant festivals, delectable cuisine, and precious customs. I had the pleasure of attending Pahela Boishakh celebrations in Dhaka, Bangladesh a few years ago and this is one of my fondest memories of the occasion. Early in the morning, a large number of people dressed in traditional clothing gather and the sound of Dhak, a traditional Dhak, echoes through the streets. The roadside hawks sweets, trinkets, and regional specialties. The streets are decorated in vibrant colors. The infectious excitement of the celebration enveloped me as I walked through the packed streets. I felt an overwhelming sense of solidarity and saw smiles and laughter everywhere I looked. Families and friends came together to greet one another with happy wishes on the first day of the new year.

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Consisting of colorful floats, traditional music, and dance performances, the Mangal Sobhayatra procession was one of the highlights of the day. The spirit of unity and revival that Pahela Boishakh embodies was evident in the electrifying mood as people danced and chanted to the rhythmic beats. Enjoying the delights of Bengali cuisine, I spent the day indulging in delicacies like doi, hilsa fish curry, and pitha (traditional rice cakes). Bangladesh's rich cultural heritage was also demonstrated when I witnessed traditional cultural performances, such as folk dances and music recitals. I was overcome with gratitude as the day ended, having participated in such a vibrant and culturally diverse event. On the removal of boundaries and communities

In addition to the campaign, Pahela Boishakh brought people together from all walks of life. I will never forget that day as it was full of priceless moments and precious memories.

I invite you to this beautiful engagement challenge:

@ripon0630 @ninapenda @wilmer1988 @abdullahw2 @mostofazaman

Thanks to all

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Best regards from jimiaera02