The celebration of ‘Poila Baisakh' (Bengali new year) was not affected by the sweltering heat on Saturday. Colourful processions were taken out in different localities on Saturday morning. While devotees thronged the heritage Dakshineswar Temple, and Kali Temple at Kalighat to offer puja and seek blessings.
According to news agency PTI, men and women - dressed in ethnic wear - joined the 'Prabhat Pheri', a cultural procession in the morning in which they sing Tagore’s popular song - 'Hey Notun Dekha Dik Arbar' (let the new greet us with new hopes) with colourful tableaux depicting the rural life of Bengal, palanquins, models of baul singers forming part of the procession.
Customers visited the neighbourhood shops to ceremonially mark business transactions on the first day of the Bengali new year, which is called 'Halkhata'. Crowds were seen in front of jewellery shops, cloth stores, sweet shops, and other places since the afternoon.
Despite sizzling heatwave-like conditions, long lines were seen outside different outlets of the popular Bengali cuisine restaurant brands apart from countless small eateries across the city and state.
Popular eateries like Bhajahari Manna, Oh Calcutta, and Kasturi among others rolled out delicacies like Bhetki Paturi, Bhapa ILish, Daab Chingri, Gandharaj Chicken, Doi Murgi, Doi lish, Mutton Dak Bungalow, Dhokar Dalna with chutney, papad, Misti, payes.
Extending her wish for the people on the occasion, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted "On the occasion of Poila Boishakh, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all fellow residents." "I wish the dawn of New Year brings an abundance of hope, happiness, & health in your lives. Today, let's commit to the inclusive welfare and development of society. Subho Nobo Borsho" the CM said on the microblogging site.
A procession organised by Rajdanga Naba Uday Sangha, an award-winning Durga Puja committee in the south, consisted of women in red-bordered saree dancing to the accompaniment of Tagore song 'Eso he Baisakh eso es (invoking the month of Baisakh), reported PTI.
Similar rallies were taken out in the Gol Park-Rasbehari area and hub of cultural activities - the Academy of Fine Arts building.
The Thakurpukur S B Park Sarbojanin, another award-winning Durga Puja committee, organised the 'Khuti' Puja. It began holding puja to commence setting up the marquee where the deity will be housed during the puja about six months from now.
In a historic move, Governor C V Ananda Bose decided to allow people 'heritage walk' through some parts of the Raj Bhavan on Saturday, built by the Britishers in 1803, as per PTI.
The scale of celebrations despite heatwave-like conditions was reminiscent of the pre-Covid days as the festivities were on a muted note in 2020-2021 and the pandemic effects was felt even in 2022.