Boishakh

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Pohela Baishakh celebration in Dhaka

Boishakh (Bangla: বৈশাখ) is the first month in the Bangla Calendar used in Bangladesh and parts of India. Boisakh is also the first month in the Nepali calendar Bikram Sambat.

The name of the month is derived from the position of the Sun near the star Bishakha. The first day of Baishakh is celebrated as the Pôhela Boishakh or Bangla New Year's day. The day is observed with cultural programs, festivals and carnivals all around the country. The day of Pôhela Boishakh is also the beginning of all business activities in Bangladesh and neighboring Indian state of West Bengal. The traders purchase new accounting books called 'Halkhata'. The accounting in the 'Halkhata' begins only after this day. The shops also offer sweets and other gifts to customers.

The month of Boishakh also marks the official start of Summer. The month is notorious for the afternoon storms called Kalboishakhis. The storms usually start with strong gusts from the north-western direction at the end of a hot day and cause widespread destruction.

Baishakh is the month when many of the seasonal fruits, especially mango and jackfruit become available.