West Bengal Map

Festivals of West Bengal [/caption

Located in the eastern part of India, West Bengal is bordered by Bangladesh, Assam, Sikkim, Bhutan, Orissa, Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar and Nepal. West Bengal is famous for lots of thing, its capital city is known as the ‘cultural capital of India’. Festivals and West Bengal are synonymous. The festivals of West Bengal are celebrated with grandeur and there are plenty of them. In fact, the festivals make most of the part of the Bengali life. The festivals provide a much needed break from the monotony of life.

The Bengali New Year, which begins in mid April, marks the beginning of festivals for the Bengalis. The Bengali New Year, popularly known as ‘Naba Borsho’is celebrated with great pomp and show, mainly by the Bengalis living in West Bengal. Considered as auspicious, the day begins with wearing new clothes, wishing each other, visiting relatives and temples, greeting others, savoring on mainly delicious Bengali cuisine.

One of the much awaited festivals of West Bengal is the Durga Puja. Celebrated throughout Bengal, Durga Puja is the principal festival of Bengal. Deafening beats of the ‘dhak’, ‘dhunuchi naach’, flaunting new clothes, ‘pandal’ hopping are common with Durga Puja. It is celebrated for five days and West Bengal is transformed into a different place altogether during Durga Puja. Preparation for this lively festival begins months before, with idols being built up with clay, shopping, planning for holidays and many more.

Diwali, which is followed by Durga Puja is a celebrated with much grandeur in West Bengal. During this time, Goddess Kali is worshipped all through Bengal. Along with other states of India, whole of Bengal is decorated as well as lit with lamps of various kinds. Burning fire crackers is a common activity of this festival.

Celebrated in late June or early July, Rath Yatra is an important festival of West Bengal. Processions are organized in various parts of West Bengal, this festival marks honoring the Hindu God, Lord Jagannath. This day also marks the beginning of the sowing time of rainy season crops in the eastern part of India. Fairs are held all over Bengal.

Holi or the color of festival, which is an important festival of India, is also celebrated in West Bengal. The festival is marked by splashing of colors into each other; it also marks victory of the good over the bad.

Id-Ul-Fitr, which is an important Muslim festival, is celebrated in this state with great show and pomp. Marking an end to the month long fast in the month of Ramzan, grand feats are organized in every Muslim household. People greet each other, wear new clothes during this festival.

Christmas, the main festival of the Christians is celebrated with fervor and enthusiasm. The celebration, mainly in the capital city of Kolkata, continues till the New Year. During this time, the whole city along with other parts of West Bengal is decorated with Christmas trees and lights.

Along with these principal festivals of West Bengal, which have become a part of the lives of the West Bengal people, other festivals of West Bengal like Makar Sankranti, Bakriid, Saraswati Puja, Lakshmi Puka and more are celebrated with much fun and vigor. People from all the communities come together to the different festivals of West Bengal.