THE POHELA BOISHAKH to-do list

Photo: Abdullah-al- Maruf, Nasirul Islam

It is that time of the year again, raging sporadic thunderstorms, raw green mangoes littering the gardens, bright, starched, red and white saris and scorching heat -- Pohela Boishakh and all its fervours are upon us. Celebrated with much aplomb and zeal, you will not be starved for ingenuity on this day. The to-do list for this day is endless and Star Lifestyle has put together some of the fun things that you can choose to do on Pohela Boishakh -- the Bengali New Year.

Photo: Abdullah-al- Maruf, Nasirul Islam

The first and most popular is an early morning visit to Ramna Batmul, bathe in the cool morning breeze, soft songs in the air and a breakfast of Pantha Ilish. Or you can choose to spend the day at home, where you arrange for your very own Boishakh mela. Invite friends and family and get them all involved in the merry-making. You can opt to dedicate a corner for painting clay pots, a corner to Henna application and one for music; you can also sell bangles and flowers for a token amount along with finger food and cool summer drinks served on platters. This could also easily be turned into a one-dish party or pot-luck where your guests bring over one dish of their choosing to the party.
Apart from these, you can choose to spend a day finding the culinary delights of Dhaka city. Morning breakfast at Puran Dhaka in any of its famous eateries, a walk to Dhaka University where delightful snacks will be sold throughout the day. Munch on jhalmuri, phuchka or sate your inner child -- buy that pink cotton candy and have it all. Lunch will be rice, ilish, bhortas and jeera pani at Dhanshiri. Take a Rickshaw to Puran Dhaka and for the adventurous among you, take a boat ride from Sadarghat. See the sun set on this magnificent city. Walk the streets of old town, marvel in the many lost glories this city boasts of and find yourself a shop where you are likely to be offered sweets celebrating Halkhata. End the day with a grand dinner at Al-Razzaque.
You can also choose to take the day off and head out from the busy and colourful city. Start early to avoid the rush-hour traffic. Even village areas are decorated and prepped for the Bengali New Year. Find a local mela, commonly held in the fields of paddy now barren after harvest. High in originality and packed with the simple joys of rural Bengal, you are sure to be charmed by the fair. Ride the creaky Nogordola, shriek in pure exhilaration, have crushed ice with lemon juice and sugar and run for cover when you see the Kalboishakhi jhor appearing in the late hours of dusk.
Shubho Noboborsho!