The national anthem of Bangladesh composed by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore is about the spontaneous bonding between the people and the land. It speaks of how the fragrance of the mango blossoms intoxicates, and how the autumn harvest looks up with a smile. Here in Bangladesh, we celebrate our land, our rivers, the infinite depths our land, our rivers, the infinite depths of our sky. It is all about celebrating Bangladesh. In this publication we present some of the major festivities of a people historically famed for their love of life and liberty, their passion for each season and its gifts, and their simple rejoicing of life as marked in their customs and traditions. It is a brief cultural sojourn through the life of the every day Bengali. In Bangladesh we are proud of our inclusive heritage. Our traditions therefore, are drawn from faith, from our ethnic roots, in music, poetry and dance. Or sometimes from shear delight in the oneness with nature-the joys and ecstasies of a predominantly agrarian people. And these festive occasions find expression round the year through a wide variety of fairs and festivals which Bengalis organize with relentless enthusiasm and intricate details passed on through centuries as social customs, traditions, legends and folklore.

The Bengali fairs and festivities, some of them with a recorded history of over 2000 years, have provided recreation and amusement to people of the 'Bengal' region. Equally significantly these have served as a grand concert of creative arts and crafts, patronage for the rural craftsman and cottage industries, of charity and humanity and a spectacle of performing arts.

Festivals in Bangladesh fall into three major categories, viz,

Celebrating fairs and festivals is now an integral part of Banglades's cultural herigage. This celebration plays a vital role in blending heritage and modernity, it provides the substance for continuity across generations. We hope that this pbulication would be of interest to people outside Bangladesh and provide for them an intimate window into the soul of Bangladesh.

Even though many fairs or festivals had originally fallen within the broad category of being religious or socio-cultural, with the passage of time they have blended into one another and attained more of a secular national appeal. For example the Adinath Fair, Shitakunda Fair or Madhubkunda Fair or the fairs organized on: the occasion of the two Eids and Muharram, falling within the ambit of religious festivities are now a source of tourist attraction from all walks of life and people of all faiths. Some of the rural fairs such as Poush Mela and Nobanno Utsab are gaining popularity with the urban youth and are now more entertaining in cities than in rural areas.

Amor Ekushey

Amor Ekushey February is a historic day for the Bengali nation. On that day five valiant sons of the country laid down their lives to win Bangla as a State language. On 21st February 1952 a massive procession was taken out by the students of Dhaka University and people from all walks of life joined it spontaneously to protest against the declaration of Urdu as the sole State language of Pakistan. Police opened fire on the demonstrations at a place near the Dhaka Medical College where present Shaheed Minar stands and five protesters were killed and many others injured.

National Mourning Day. The Boi Mela started on a small scale in 1974 and was officially recognized in 1978. After the inclusion of the book publishers' and book sellers organization as a cooperative force in arranging the book fair, its popularity increased at a quick pace from 1989. The numbers of buyers and readers increased in the same manner. Now it begins on 1st February and continues till the end of the month and is the most popular fair in Bangladesh.

Baisabi Festival

Baisabi is the main social festival of the ethnic minorities living in the hill districts of Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari. This festival is celebrated by the Chakma and Tanchaynga as Biju, by Marmas as Shangrai and by Tripuras as Baisuk of Baisu.Biju: Biju is a festival celebrated by the Chakmas and Tanchayngas for three consecutive days-the last two days of Chaitra and the first day of Baishakh. The first day is called full biju, the second day Mul Biju and on the last day they celebrate what is known as Gaija-Paijja. The Chakmas and Tanchayngas do not kill any living creature during these three days. They celebrate the last day as the main festival day. On this special day they cook a mixed curry with five types of vegetables, which they call Pachan. In the afternoon, the teenagers play traditional games like Ghila and Bou-chi. Gaijja-Paijja: Gaijja-Paijja means going for a somersault and is practiced by boys and girls during the first day of Baishakh as part of the New Year festival.Shangrai: The Marmas celebrate Shangrai for four days. Everybody carries the image of Lord Buddha to the river front and sets down the image on a floating bed.

Basanta Utsab

Pahela Falgun is a traditional festive day for the Bengali people. It is the first day of spring, which is observed across the country through traditional festivities and colourful programmes. Spring fairs, cultural programmes and exchanges of greetings and gifts among friends and beloved ones mark the day.	People from all walks of life roam around all the venues of different programmes wearing colourful dresses including traditional 'Spring Sarees' (worn by women) and 'Panjabi' (worn by men). Other programmes of the day include exchanges of flowers, gifts and 'Rakhi-Bandhan' recitations. Musical soiress and fairs are organized through out the country to welcome the Spring.

Baul Mela

Bauls (itinerant folk singers) have been wandering in this part o fthe world for hundreds of years. A lifestyle matched with that of nature-Bauls move from village to village, soul-searching through meditation and songs. Walking down the rural road with an Ektara (one stringed musical instrument) in his hand in a simple traditional robe, a Baul is simply not bothered about his survival as he knows that someone somewhere will give him shelter or food. But these days Bauls are not often seen roaming the villages, singing songs;
	they tend to live in a community for survival. For example, a large group of Bauls live by the tomb of their Guru, Lalon Shah, in Kushtia where Bauls from all over the country gather once a year to celebrate Lalon's birthday.

Bou Mela (Bride Fair)

A banyan tree associated with the Goddess Kali stands in Sonargaon village. The banyan tree is age-old and its roots and branches are similar to a woman's hair.A special fair for women is arranged under the Kali Banyan tree every year on 1st Baishakh. The main exhibits are seasonal fruits, rice cakes, rice cakes, sweets, bangles and imitation jewellery. The unmarried women of the locality as well as women from far visit this fair. The Hindu women offer fresh fruits to the tree asking for a better future for their family.

Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the founder of Buddhism, Lord Buddha is the most important festival of the Buddhists and is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the country. This festival falls on full moon day in the month of April. It was on this same day that Buddha was born, got enlightenment and also attained Nirvana or salvation. So, the Buddhists consider the day to be more auspicious than any other day of the year. The Day is a public holiday in Bangladesh. On this day they observe various religious rituals at various Buddhist temples and monasteries.

Buddhism is one of the most ancient religions of Bangladesh which is also home to few of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Asia.

Bull Fight

The farmers of Bangladesh celebrate the year's harvest amid a flurry of festivities. Bullfighting is one such unique event that still follows tradition. Sadly, with just one district in Bangladesh hosting this event, it is fast on the verge of becoming extinct. Enthusiastic inhabitants of Netrokona district organize this event after farmers have harvested their main, 'Aman', rice crop. The cleared rice field is transformed into a fighting arena, and there begins the long awaited bull fight. Chants, prayers, purifying smoke, amulets and pungent water are some of the different methods used to bring luck to the fighter bull.

Christmas

The Christian Community of Bangladesh observe Holy Christmas every year on 25th December with religious fervor and gaiety. Christmas in Bangladesh starts with the signing of carols in Churches from the first week of December. Santa Claus makes his appearance made in city hotels and Christian homes. Members of the Christian community distribute gifts among themselves. Though Christmas has religious roots, it is becoming increasingly a festival for all. Christmas is a public holiday in Bangladesh.

Cock Fight

Cock fights have an impressive tradition and history. The 'Bangladesh Shoukhin Aseel Morog Unnayan Shangstha' was established way back in 1963 in Dhaka with 30 members. Over the years it has developed into a highly organized group. A total of 35-40 Aseels (Cocks), depending on their fitness, compete in a six-month long knockout tournament. After a fight is over the winner gets at least theree week's rest before its next bout. The long time an Aseel nees to recover from the wounds suffered in a fight is one of the main reasons why the tournament spans over six months. The sport is equally popular with rural and urban crowds.

Dubla Rash Mela

Dubla Rash Mela is a fair celebrated to commemorate Lord Shri Krishna's holy dance for his beloved Radha. It is one of the biggest fairs in the country.

According to the Hindu holy book the Puranas, Shri Krishna engaged in a holy dance and met intimately with his beloved Radha during this full moon period. Special worship and a ritual bath is offered in the sea during this period to free the devotees from their sins.

At the centre of the festival there are twenty thousand temporary fishermen who are engaged in catching and drying fish on Dubla and nearby islands. Every Agrahayan month of the Bengali year, the fair continues for 5-7 days around full moon.

The fair on Dubla Island in the Bay of Bengal was started by Hari Bhajan, a disciple of Thakur Hari Chand in 1923. Dubla is a part of the Sundarbans Forest. The life of Hari Bhajan was exemplary. When he came in touch of Thakur Horichad, the latter showed an icon of Laxmi Narayan and told him to get away from life and stay in the Sundarbans to find for spiritual enlightenment. During his stay in the Sundarbans for twenty-four years, he lived on the fruits of the forest. Many people in nearby villages became his disciples. One of his notable works was to start the Dubla Fair during Rash Purnima. At the end of his life he decided to go for a ritual bath in the Bay of Bengal during Rash Purnima with twelve close disciples. The disciples took him to Dubla Island, where on arrival he ordered them to establish twelve shops and become the buyer of all the exhibits of the shops. Afterwards the news spread to other places especially through the fishermen. Every year during the full moon night of Rash Purnima in October, the festival begins with a ritual bath in the Bay of Bengal. To celebrate the occasion and keep the memory of Thakur Hari Chand alive, the devotees, especially the fishermen of the Sundarbans, organize this five day fair. This has become a good occasion for many foreign tourists for visiting the Sundarbans and people come from India as well. Around 40-50 thousand people join the celebrations every year. The main attractions of the event are the

ritual bath at sunrise during the full moon, floating offerings to the sea and praying for more fish for the season. Virgins go for the sarced bath in sea water in the hope of getting good husbands. Moreover handicrafts and precious wooden items are also put on sale. The fair on Dubla Island in the Bay of Bengal was started by Hari Bhajan, a disciple of Thakur Hari Chand in 1923. Dubla is a part of the Sundarbans Forest. The life of Hari Bhajan was exemplary. When he came in touch of Thakur Horichad, the latter showed an icon of Laxmi Narayan and told him to get away from life and stay in the Sundarbans to find for spiritual enlightenment. During his stay in the Sundarbans for twenty-four years, he lived on the fruits of the forest. Many people in nearby villages became his disciples. One of his notable works was to start the Dubla Fair during Rash Purnima. At the end of his life he decided to go for a ritual bath in the Bay of Bengal during Rash Purnima with twelve close disciples. The disciples took him to Dubla Island, where on arrival he ordered them to establish twelve shops and become the buyer of all the exhibits of the shops. Afterwards the news spread to other places especially through the fishermen. Every year during the full moon night of Rash Purnima in October, the festival begins with a ritual bath in the Bay of Bengal. To celebrate the occasion and keep the memory of Thakur Hari Chand alive, the devotees, especially the fishermen of the Sundarbans, organize this five day fair. This has become a good occasion for many foreign tourists for visiting the Sundarbans and people come from India as well. Around 40-50 thousand people join the celebrations every year. The main attractions of the event are the ritual bath at sunrise during the full moon, floating offerings to the sea and praying for more fish for the season. Virgins go for the sarced bath in sea water in the hope of getting good husbands. Moreover handicrafts and precious wooden items are also put on sale.

How to go: Dubla stands at a distance of 100 km south of Mongla Port. The area of Dubla Islan is approx. 90 sq km. Its is under the Shrankhola range of Sundarbans East. Dubla can be reached through the Shipsha River from Shatkhira, via Burigoalini, or via the rivers Bhola and Shupti from Sharankhola in Bagerhat district. The island can be reached only by waterways.

Where to stay: It is better to take a Package Tour organized by the National Tourism Organization or a private tour operator which ensures your stay on the boat and visit to the island to observe the fair during festival time.

Durga Puja

Durga Puja is the greatest of the festivals of the Hindus of Bangladesh. It is celebrated all over the country. Some performs it individually and some collectively, known as Sharbajanin Durgotsav. The best known story of goddess Durga is that of her defeating the demon Mahisasura, commonly known as Asur. Dugra Puja is generally celebrated in Bangladesh in Autumn. But at the same places Hundus celebrate this puja in Spring also which is known as Basanti Puja. The Goddess Durga is depicted with ten hands. The icons are made of straw and clay and then painted with bright colours and decorated with clothes. On the fourth day of worship the icon is immersed in water which is known as Bisharajan. Public holiday is observed in Bangladesh on this day. worship the icon is immersed in water which is known as Bisharajan. Public holiday is observed in Bangladesh on this day.

Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the two main Muslim religious festivals. Eid and fitr are Arabic words. Eid means festival and fitr means to open to break a fast, to go back to the normal situation. Eid-ul-fitr is the day of joy on the 1st of the month of shawal, when people return to the normal routine of life after completing the siam (restraint) and siam begins after the appearance of the new moon of the month of holy Ramadan and roza (fasting)closes on sighting the new moon of the next month, Shawal. During Ramadan Muslims keep practice restraint in every thing, including sex and personal emotions. For this reason, the word fitr is also used in the sense of victory.

	It must be pointed out that as it is an Islamic festival, the observance of Eid-ul-Fitr is confined to Muslims only. But since Islam is a religion of peace and friendship and Eid means joy, Eid in effect brings joy and goodwill to the whole mankind. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated in Bangladesh with due solemnity and fervor. On this day every Muslim tries to dress well and prepare sepical dishes according to his on her ability. Relatives and neighbours share the joys of the festival with each other. On the occasion of Eid, a minimum of three days of public holiday allow people to leave to visit family and relatives in the villages. Muslims offer Eid prayers on the day and exchange greetings with all and embrace each other irrespective of status or age. They also visit the graves of relatives and pious Muslims to offer prayers. Exchange of Eid cards is popular. It is a religious obligation on the day to pay firta or alms to the poor at a fixed rate. Also, food and clothes are distributed among the poor.

In Dhaka, the main Eid congregations are held at the National Eidgah and at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The biggest congregation of the country is held at Sholkia in Kishoregonj, where about half a million people join the Ed prayers.

Eid fairs are organized at many rural places. These fairs are basically gatherings that promote friendship among the rural people. The fairs are normally arranged on the bank of a river or under a big banyan tree near the local bazaar. Handicraft items and foodstuffs such as Chira, Muri, Khoi, Monda and sweets are sold at the fairs. Nakshi Pankah, dolls, and decorated pottery as well as musical instruments such as flute, drum, Ektara are also sold. Some fairs have merry-go-rounds, puppet shows and bio-scopes. In some areas of reverine Bangladesh boat races are organized. The rich people of the area are encouraged to donate prizes for boats that win the races.

Eid-ul-Azha

Eid-ul-Azha also known as Eid-al-Kurban or Eid-al-Nahr, is one of the two main Muslim religious festivals. In Bangladesh it is popularly known as Kurbanir Eid. Eid and Azha are Arabic words meaning festival and sacrifice respectively.

Eid-ul-Azha commemorates the sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim (A) who had been asked by Almighty Allah to sacrifice his dearest son.

In commemoration of this event, which symbolizes the highest loyalty and complete submission to Allah, Muslims at Mina and all parts of the world sacrifice animals on the day of Eid-ul-Azha. Animal sacrifice in the name of Allah is a major feature of Eid-ul-Azha. From the sacrifice and through the distribution of sacrificial meat to the poor and distressed, one gets spiritual satisfaction and pleasure. It also enhances the festive character of the occasion. Kurbani or sacrifice of animals following the example of sacrifice by Hazrat Ibrahim (A) at Mina is obligatory not only for those Muslims who perform Hajj but also for all solvent Muslims of the world.

Eid-ul-Azha is observed on the 10th day of Zilhaj. On this day, Muslims who perform Hajj sacrifice animals on the field of Mina. Sacrifice can also be offered on the following day and also on the third day. Animals offered for sacrifice must be of a specific age and are required to be free from certain defects. The time of sacrifice begins after the end of the Namaz of Eid-ul-Azha and continues up to the sunset of the next two days (total three days). A camel, cow or buffalo can be sacrificed in the names of seven persons, but a lamb or a goat can be sacrificed in one name only. Usually cows, goats and buffaloes are sacrificed in Bangladesh. Some people also import camels for the purpose of sacrifice.
One-third of the meat of the sacrificed animal is kept for the owner, one-third is distributed amongst his relatives and the rest is distributed among the poor. This gives an opportunity to the rich to discharge the responsibility of helping the poor and also helps in developing cordiality between the rich and the poor. The hide of the sacrificial animal can be used by the owner or donated to others. But it is not jaiz (allowed) to sell its hide, meat, fat or bones and to use the money for one's own consumption (Hadiya, Alamgiri, Shami). The hide or the money received from its sale is given to the poor or to the poor students of Madrashahs and orphanages. Like all other Muslims of the world, the Muslims of Bangladesh celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with religious fervor and enthusiasm. New clothes and accessories are bought on the occasion. People dressed in new clothes visit the houses of neighbours and relatives to exchange greetings and partake of the special dishes prepared on the occasion. Sometimes, people of ther religions also take part in the celebrations as invited guests. A few days are declared government holidays on the occasion. Many people go to their village hoes and celebrate the Ed with relatives. The Eid congregational prayer is held in large mosques and open fields. Radio and television broadcast special programmes and newspapers publish special features highlighting the significance of the occasion.

Eid Fairs

Old Dhaka

Old Dhaka weras different look from New Dhaka on Eid day. Since a good part of Dhaka's population leaves for the villages new Dhaka by and large assumes a deserted look. The joyous festive mood is more conspicuously manifested in Old Dhaka. The celebration begins with fire-crackers being exploded right after the moon sighting on the eve of Eid. Preparations for the Eid day continue till late at night. Women start preparing various food items, men are sent to the kitchen market with long lists, friends meet to decided where they will say the Eid prayer together and discuss their plans in detail. The barbers' saloons are open until the small hours of the next (i.e Ed) day. The mood of festivity is unmistakably present. Old Dhakaites popularly known as Dhakaiyyas, are socially and culturally close-knit; there is a strong sense of belonging to the community and tis closeness gives Eid celebration in Old Dhaka a special appeal. During Eid Old Dhaka is full of colour, music and gaiety. Children, young men and women in their new Eid clothes are a frequent sight on the streets of Old Dhaka. Eid Kolakuli (embrace), performed with great enthusiasm, is a common sight that one may come across every few yards. Groups of youths wearing Punjabis can be spotted almost in every alley blasting the recent Hindi film hits or Bangla band songs and shops are decorated with colourful festoons.

If you are a New Dhakaite and have never seen Old Dhaka's Eid you might consider exploring it the next time. The usually inextricable and messy Old Dhaka traffic jam is gone and stays this way for a few days after Eid day. All you need to do is hire a rickshaw for two hours, go around as you wish and you are sure to get a feel of Old Dhaka's Eid.

However, there are also definite destinations to explore. One is Ahsan Manzil, the former palace of Dhaka's Nawabs that has been transformed into a museum. It's in Islampur, one of the farthest corners of Old Dhaka and is open on Eid day from 9 am to 5 pm. Articles of the Nawab family like chairs, beds, kitchenware, medical instruments and portraits of the Nawabs are on display in around one and a half dozen rooms in the huge two-storied palace.

Even if you are not an ardent museum enthusiast, you can still enjoy yourself in the museum at Ahsan Manzil. The large lawn with sell-groomed and neatly pruned green grass right in the from of the palace is quite an inviting sight. One can also sit on the huge outside staircase to get a nice view of the river Buriganga, quietly flowing by the palace.

Baldha garden in Wari can be another option. It's also kept open for visitors from 9 am to 5 pm. In a city where greenery is rare to come by, Baldha Garden could be a good choice if you are planning to spend some time enjoying nature's bounty.

It's not as noisy as the parks in New Dhaka like Ramna or Suhrawardy Uddyan. Since one has to buy a ticket to enter, there is no pestering beggar, tea vendor and badamwala. Hundreds of rare plants and trees will greet you as you step into the garden. Eating inside the garden is not allowed, but the guards are often indulgent enough to overlook ii if you are suddenly caught with a few munchies. There is also a beautiful little pond with a quaint staircase that leads into the water.

Eid Fair at Bagha, Rajshahi

During 1505 an Islamic saint, Shah Moazzem Danishmond Shah Daud, came to Bagha with his disciples to promote Islam in the Rajshahi gegion. This Sufi Saint was guarded by a tiger while he spent his time in meditation. The area was named after this miraculous fame as Bagha. The Sultan, of the then Bengal, Nasiruddin Nusrat Shaha built a mosque and dug a tank at Bagha after being convinced of the wisdom of the way of promoting Islam used by the saint. Since the death of Saint Shaha Doula a 2-day memorial gathering has been held after Eid-ul-Fitr every year. Centering on the memorial gathering of thousands of Muslim devotees at Bagha, a sweetmeat fair starts for devotees, who love to take home the famous sweet of the place. The fair is arranged regularly and has become widely known not only for the sweets of Paura Paul but also for exhibits like local handicrafts and wooden items.

Fair of Adinath

Every year in the Bengali month of Falgun, especially during Krishna-pakkha the dark forthnight, the thirteen day Adinath Fair begins at the foot of the Mainak hillock at Moheshkhali. Moheshkhali is an island under Cox's Bazar district not far from the mainland. Adinath temple has been a place of worship for hindu devotees since long. A local landlord named Nur Mohammad Shikdar donated 200 acres of land to reconstruct the ageold Adinath Temple. The sweet water of green coconuts specially grown in this place is a most attractive and popular drink among locals and tourists alike. Devotees and visitors to the Fair drink it before worshiping the goddess of Adinath. In fact drinking green coconut milk has become a ritual for the devotees. A huge number of green coconuts are sold on the occasion every year.

Fairs on days of national significance

Festivities on the victory Day on 16 December is a matter of celebration and pride for the Bangladeshi people. On this day Bangladeshis commemorate the victory against the occupation army of Pakistan in the 1971 war of Independence. One of the most common events of Victory Day celebration is the exciting win in traditional 'Nouka Baich' or boat races organised by sport lovers in many of the major rivers, symbolising the spirit of victory.

Jobbarer Boli Khela

Jabbarer Boli Khela (Jabber's Wrestling), a century-old wrestling competition is one of the oldest traditions of the part city Chittagong. Held in the first month of the Bangla Year, Baishakh, the sporting event takes place at Laldighi Maidan. A local merchant Abdul Jabber Sawdagor introduced this competition way back in 1909 in order to motivate and organize the Bengali youths in the movement against the British Raj. The descendants of Abdul Jabber, with the support of local people and others, have continued to organize the annual event, which very few Chittagonians fail to miss.

Jonmashtomi

Jonmashtomi is one of the most popular festivals of Hindus in celebration of the birth of their beloved God Lord Sri Krishna. The Hindu community of Bangladesh celebrates this very important religious festival with great romanticism and festivity. Considering the significance of the Day, it is a public holiday in Bangldesh. The most common ritual observed during Jonmashtomi is fasting by devotees on the day of the festival. Legend has it that Lord Krishna was very fond of milk and milk products like butter and buttermilk. He was also fond of sweets like Kheer, Pithas etc. Similarly devotees prefer to have only milk and milk products on the day and also prepare sweets during the festival to please the Lord. Plays depicting various events and accomplishments of Lord Krishna during his lifetime is another important custom during the festival. Processions carrying an Avatar of Lord Krishna on the mount of Sharparaj- the snake god is customery.

Kite-flying Festival

The Kite-flying Festival, one of the traditional fetivities in old Dhaka, dating back to the Muhal era, remains a huge crowd-puller amongst the new generation. It is a gala celebration in which residents of the old part of the capital gather to have one of their most enjoyable days of the year sometime in winter. These days the festival has moved to the open skies and sandy beaches of cox's Bazar. The sport is highly competitive, the winner having to survive kite elimination by hundreds of others.

Kothin Chibor Dan

Kothin Chibor Dan is a Buddhist ceremony on which occadion Bikkus are given 'Chibor'or cloth to wear. Buddhists believe that this is the best of all gifts. Chibor, the cloth that Bikkhus wear, may be of any six colours: those of a tree's roots, trunk, bark, dry leaves, fruit or flower. However, the Bikkhus community prefer to wear saffron colour cloths, as it is different from the cloth that ordinary people wear and also because it does not have attractive designs.

According to Raja Barrister Debashish Roy, circle Chief of the Chakma community, 'Kothin Chobor Dan' helps develop social harmony, creates cooperation and teaches the lesson of how to improve friendship among the people. Elaborate programmes are chalked out on the occasion, including Buddha Puja, Ful Puja, Sibli Puja, Feeding the Monks, Astaporiskardan, talking Panchshil and Astashil and prying for world peace. Prior to the introduction of Kothin Chibor Dan, Bikkus used to wear 'Pangsukulik Chibor' - soiled and torn cloth found at cremation sites. As this made the Bikkhus susceptible to disease, Buddha allowed them, when they were having their monsoon rites, to wear Chibor or clean cloth, fifted by their families. Those bikkhus who have completed the tree-moth cycle o fmonsoon rites are entitled to wear the chibor. The 'Chibor Dan' ceremony I sperformed until Kartik Purnima.

The ceremony is called 'Kothin' or difficult because the entire process of making Chibor- twisting yarn, weaving, cutting the cloth, sewing, dyeing washing, drying and distributing it among the vikkhus-has to be completed within 24 hours, from one sunrise to the next.

The two-day long "Kothin Chibor Dan Utsab"- the greatest religious festival of the Budhist community, is celebrated with religious fervour at Rangamati Rajban Bihara in the Rangamati Hill District. The religious festival is organized by Rangamati Rajban Bihara Upasak Upasika Parishad. On the eve of the function Buddhist people from three hill districts begin gathering at Rangamati Rajban Bihara area to participate in the festival. Many visitors and tourists from home and gather to enjoy the festival. Every year about four hundred thousand people of all communities from the three hill districts (Bandarban, Khagrachhari and Rangamati) in greater Chittagong Hill Tracts and other parts of the country come to celebrate and enjoy this festival. The internationally renowned Rajban Bihara, incidentally, is the biggest Buddhist Temple in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Langalbandh Fair

Langalbandh is a holy place for the Hindu community, situated on the bank of the old Brahmaputra close to the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, (20 Kilometres to the southeast of Dhaka city). Every year on the 8th day of the moon in the Bengali month of Chaitra, thousand of Hindu devotees from home and abroad assemble here for astami Snan, a holy bath in the river, they believe that this bath will please Brahma and they will be relieved of their sins and distress.

To facilitate bathing for the devotees, benevolent persons have built a number of bathing ghats. There are now 13 such ghats and these are the Premtala ghat, Annapurana ghat, Raj ghat, Baradeswari ghat, Gandhi ghat, loykali ghat, Pathankali ghat, Srirampur ghat, Kalibari ghat, Kali ghat, Shankar ghat, Shikhri ghat and Rakshyankali ghat. At Langalbandh there are 10 temples and several ashrams (hermitages). As the holy river washes the place unceasingly, unending streams of people visit the place round the year, seeking the blessings of Brahma. The 2-kilometre long holy site of Langalbandh witnesses devotees of all ages. Most local people believe tghat the blessings of all the holy places of the world are pooled in the waters of the Brahmaputra on the auspicious day of Chaitra and by touching the water a believer becomes free of all sins and attains eternal salvation. There is an ancient story about how Langalbandh became a holy place. A legend goes that once there lived a great ascetic or Mahamuni named Jamadagni. He had a beautiful wife by the name of Renuka, who came from a royal family. They had 5 sons and the youngest was Named Parashuram. The family lived a simple life in the hermitage and Renuka almost forgot the luxuries of the life she had enjoyed in the house of her parents. One day, the Kind of Martikabartya passed by the cottage of the Muni while on his way to hunt deer with his retinue. The people were happy and gay. This reminded Renuka of her life before her marriage with Jamadagni and she started seeping. Muni Jamadangi was furious to see that his wife, the mother of 5 children living with an ascetic, was so eager for enjoyment and luxury. He at once ordered his sons to kill their mother.When the eldest four refused to comply, he asked Parashuram to do it. Parashuram then took an axe and killed his mother with a single blow. Although he did it on his father's order, it was a sin and , as a punishment, the axe got stuck to his hands so firmly that nothing could free it. Jamadagni then asked him to visit different holy places and bathe in their waters to get rid of the curse. At the same time, Jamadagni also started the search for the holy waters for his son.

He came to know of the greatness of Lord Brahma who was then hiding in the Himalayas in the form of a lake. He moved around the Himalayas for a long time but could not find Brahma. Finally, he could see the lake at the bottom of the Himalayas. He became extremely happy and prayed for his sin to be washed in its water. As soon as parashuram jumped into the lake, the axe separated from his hand. This is ho he could alone for his sin of matricide. Parashuram at once decided to bring the holy water of the Brahmaputra to the plains for the good of the common people. He attached his axe to langal (plough) and dug a canal. He brought the water of 'Lake Brahmaputra' down a long way through the hills and valleys and stopped at Langalbandh, completely exhausted. There he stopped ploughing the land. Since then the Brahmaputra has been flowing along the canal dug by him. And this is how the place was named Langalbandh and turned into one of the holiest places for the Hindus.

Since then, every year at Langalbandh during the Bengali month of Chaitra thousand so Hindu devotees gather to celebrate the Ashokastomy holy bath. The devotees take the ritual bath on the occasion of Chaitr Baruni as well. On the above occasion a three-day fair is held in this place, starting before the day of Astami snan (Bath) and ending a day after the bathing ceremony. The main attractions of the fair are exhibits like pottery, products made of bamboo cane and thread like hand fans etc. These exhibits are very popular among the devotees visiting the place. There are also arrangements for the entertainment of children like puppet shows, circus and merry-go-round, etc. Sweetmeat stalls do brisk business during the fair.

Laxmi Puja

Laxmi Puja is among the most significant festivities for the Bangladeshi Hindu community and is celebrated in every household as well as collectively in Temples. Goddess lakshmi is believed to be Goddess of wealth and prosperity who also likes cleanliness. She will visit the cleanest house first amongst offering of Haldi and Kumkum (turmeric and vermillion) with her Path lit up with welcome lamps. The Puja consists of a combined worship of five deities: Ganesha, at the beginning of every auspicious act, Laxmi in her three forms-Mahalaxmi (the goddess of wealth and money), Mahasaraswati (the goddess of books and learning), and Mahakali; Kuber (the treasurer of the gods) is also worshiped. According to tradition people would put small oil lamps outside their homes and hope laxmi will come to b less them. It is also popularly known as the festival of lights. The day of Laxmi-Puja falls on the dark night of Amavasya or no moon.

Madhabkunda Fair

Madhabkunda is situated in Moulvi Bazar and has convenient road connection to Sylhet and Dhaka. The main attraction of the place is a 62 meters high waterfall in Patharia hill. There is a myth regarding Madhabkunda Fair. Once the king of Sylhet, Gobordhan, while going to Kulhat for a hunt came to Patharia hill and was charmed by the natural beauty of the place. When he started digging the ground to set up a tent he found a Sannyasi (Hermit) in deep meditation with his eyes closed. The kind bowed in homage to the Sannyasi. When the Sannayasi came out of meditation and opened his eyes he was pleased by the king's behaviour and ordered him to offer Pindo to the Kunda (hole) during Modhu Krishna Pakkha every year. Then, as he lay dying, the Sannyasi uttered the word Madhab three times. Presumably the name Madhabkunda derives from that incident. From that time in the 16th century, every year on the occasion of Madhu Krishna Tithe, devotees come to the place for the Baruni ritual bath in the crystal clear water of Madhabkunda. The fair during the Barony bath is one of the great festivities.

Muharram

Muharram or the sacred month is the first month of the Islamic or Hejira Calendar. The Hadith instructs Muslims to fast on the 9th and 10th of this month. Fasting on Ashura (the 10th of Muharram) was a farz (obligatory) until fasting in Ramadan was made farz. Both in pre Islamic times as well as at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (Sm0, it was haram (forbidden) to be at war in this month. Muslims of the shiah group observe the first ten days of the month as a period of mourning for the death of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the grand son of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sm0> The tenth day of Muharram is called Ashura. Hazrat Imam Hussin (RA) was killed on this day at the hands of the soldiers of Yazid, the son of Muawiyah, the Umaiyya Caliph. Shiahs take out processions with Tazias or replicas of the tomb of Hazrat Imam Hussin (RA) and show their grief by beating their chests or flagellating themselves with knives or chains. The mourning continues for forty days well into the month of Safar.

Muharram has been observed since the 10th century AD. In Bengal also it has been observed at least for the last few centuries. The centre of the observances of Muharram in Dhaka is the Husaini Dalam Imambara. As a mark of mourning, Shiahs dress in black for at least ten days of Muharram. During this time, they refrain from merrymaking, listening to music, or seeing plays or movies. They also do not arrange weddings during this month keeping in mind Imamm Hussain (RA) and his followers. Some Shiahs also refrain from eating fish as a mark of respect to the memories of the martyrs who died of thirst as no water was made available.

During the first ten days of the month, Majlis (mourning assemblies) are held at the imambaras separately for men and women. The story of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussin (RA) is told and marsiyas (elegies) are sung or recited in the assemblies. At the end of the service food is distributed to the people. On the seventh of Muharram, Shirni (special offerings) are made and the people pray for Allah's blessings. Food and fruits in large quantities and varieties are distributed on the occasion. Those who pray for Allah' blessings pick out a food item and make a Mannat or promise not to eat that food for a year. In case their prayers are deemed to have borne fruit, they promise to offer Shirni the next year.

Along with the Shirni, some also ofer silver Panja, the model of an open palm with five fingers, that represent the five holy figures, the Prophet Muhammad (Sm), his daughter Fatima ®, his son-in-law Ali ® and his tow grandsoms Hassan (R) and his two grandsons Hassan ® and Hussain (R).

Muharram processions were common in Bengal in the 18th century. Horses and elephants were used in the processions. Nowadays precessions are much smaller. In Dhaka, the procession begins at Husaini Dalan and after winding its way through the city streets, terminates at a place representing Karbala on the banks of the Dhanmondi Lake. The replica of Duldul, the horse belonging to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and the flags in the precession show the symbolic presence of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R). Also Lathikhela (stick fight) is organized to remind spectators of the battle between the soldiers of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and Yazid. As with other festivals in Bangladesh, Muharram has become an occasion for fairs at various places.

The Muharram fair is a religion-based event. During the rule of the Mughals in Bengal the Shiah members of the Mughal army started celebrating the day in Dhaka. In 1864, at the beginning of Muharram, a fair started adjacent of Husaini Dalan (established in 1842). A great deal of buying and selling took place on that occasion. In course of time it has turned into a traditional fair where handicrafts, pottery, brassware, bows and arrows, swords made of tin are the main exhibits. The merry-go-round and windmill circle are added attractions for the children. The fair starts from 7th of Muharram and ends on the 11th.

Nabanna

Nabanna Utsab is the 'new harvest festival' celebrated by a predominantly agrarian rural Bangladesh to rejoice the bringing home by the farmer the golden sheaves of new crops in Autumn. This is the time when the farmer fills the granaries with newly harvested crops making them ready for the winter months. These are exciting times for the farmer, his family and the villagers in general who celebrate the festive spirit with traditional folklore, dance, music, drum beats, Shari and Jari music along with rice and milk based delicacies such as Payesh, Pitha (rice cake). Even though Nabanna has been predominantly a rural festival, for many years now the Nabanna fever has caught up with the city dwellers, specially the new generation who has turned this into a spectacle of food fair with traditional rice and milk based snacks including Muri, Murki, Moa rice pudding and cakes accompanied by open air, song, dance and colourful decorations.

Pohela Baishakh

Celebrating Pohela Baishakh or the Bangla New Year's Day is an integral part of Bangladesh's cultural heritage. A national holiday falling on April 14 Baishakh is an occasion to rejoice the very soul of Bengali culture, music, poetry and dance.

Under the Mughals, agricultural taxes were collected according to the Hejira Calendar. However, as the Hejira Calendar is a lunar one, it was found that the agricultural and the fiscal year did not coincide. As a result, farmers were hard-pressed to pay taxes out of season. In order to streamline tax collection, the Muhal Emperor Akbar ordered a reform of the calendar. Accordingly Fatehullah shirazi, a renowned scholar and astronomer, formulated the Bangla year on the basis of the lunar Hejira and Bangla solar calendars. The new Fasli San (agricultural year) was introduced on 10/11 March 1584 but was dated from Akbar's ascension to the throne in 1556. The New Year subsequently became known as Bengali year.

Celebrations of Pohela Baishakh started from Akbar's reign. It was customary to clear up all the next day, or the first day of the new year, landlords would entertain their tenants with sweets. On this occasion there used to be fairs and other festivals. In due course the occasion became part of domestic and social life and turned into a day of merriment.

The main event of the day was to open a Halkhata or new book of accounts. This was entirely a financial affair. In village, towns and cities traders and businessmen closed their old account books and opened new ones. They used to treat customers with sweets and renewed their business relationship with them. This tradition is still practiced, especially by jewellers.

New year's festivals are closely linked with rural life in Bengal. On the day everything is thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned. People bath early in the morning, dress in fine clothes and then go to visit relatives, friends and neighbours. Special foods are prepared to entertain guests. Baishakhi fairs are arranged in many parts of the country. Various agricultural products, traditional handicrafts, toys, cosmetics as well as various kinds of food and sweets are sold at these fairs. The fairs also provide entertainment, with singers and dancers Gambhira gan Gazir gan and Alkap gan. They present folk songs as well as Baul, Marfati, Murshidi and Bhatiali songs. Plays based on traditional romance narratives, like those which involve the celebrated pairs of Laily-Majnu, Yusuf Zulekha and Radha-drishna are stages. Among other attractions at these fairs are puppet shows and merry go round.

Many old festivals connected with New Year's Day have disappeared, while new festivals have replaced them. With the abolition of the Zamindari system, the Punya connected with the closing of land revenue accounts has disappeared. Kite flying in Dhaka and bull racing in Munshinganj used to be very colourful events. Other popular village games and sports were horse races, bullfights, cockfights, pigeon flying and boat racing. Some festivals, however, continue to be observed, for example, Boli or wrestling in Chittagong and Gambhira in Rajshahi.

Observance of Pohela Baishakh has become popular in the cities. Early in the morning people gather under a big tree or on the bank of lake to witness the sunrise. Artistes present songs to welcome the New Year. People from all walks of life wear traditional Bengali dress: young women wear white sarees with red borders and adorn themselves with bangles, flowers and iblics. Men wear white Pyjamas and Kurta. Many towns people start they day with the traditional breakfast of Panta Bhat (rice soaked overnight in water), green chillies, onion and fried Hilsa fish.

The most colourful New Year's Day festival takes place in Dhaka. Large numbers of people gather early in the morning under the Banyan Tree at Ramna Park where Chhayanaut artistes herald the day with Tagore's famous song welcoming Baishakh 'Esho he Baishakh esho esho' (Come O Baishakh, come). A similar ceremony welcoming the new year is also held at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University. Students and teachers of the Faculty take out a colourful procession and parade round the campus. Social and cultural organizations celebrate the day with cultural programmes. Newspapers bring out special supplements. There are also special programmes on radio and television.

The historical importance of Pohela Baishakh in Bangladesh context may be dated from the observance of the day by Chhayanaut in 1965. In an attempt to suppress Bengali culture, the Pakistan government had banned Tagore's Songs. Protesting against this move, Chhayanaut opened their Pohela Baishakh celebrations at Ramna Park with Tagore's song welcoming the New Year. The day continued to be celebrated in East Pakistan as a symbol of Bengali culture. After 1971 it became a national festival, a symbol of the Bangali nationalism and an integral part of the people's cultural heritage.
Baishakhi Mela is the mirror of our traditional culture. It is presumed that it started about 600 years ago. The number of Baishakhi Melas celebrated in different parts of Bangladesh is around 300-350. Though Baishakhi fairs are held in an organized way in almost all cities of the country, originally they were essentially organized in rural settings. Traditional handicrafts, hand-made cakes, special kinds of food stuff, sweets, potteries, bangles, pitchers and cane products are the main items for sale. The Baishakhi Mela is an ancient form of Bengali folk festival the continues to thrive in the modern age.

Poush Mela

Poush is the first month of the winter season of the Bengali Calendar. It is the month immediately following the autumn season of bringing home the harvest. With a full granary for the winter, it is a time for the agrarian rural Bengali to relax and engage in merriment and cultural activities to celebrate winter.

A traditional Poush Mela (village fair) would essentially include a Jatrapala (Village theatre), along with a wide variety of delicious mouth tantalising repertoire of rice, milk and molasses based delicacies called Pitha (rice cake) and Payesh (rice pudding). Like other rural festivals Poush Mela has also been happily adopted by the winter-and-festivity loving city dwellers of Bangladesh who find an excuse in Winter to enjoy the delicacies of Poush with open air Pitha festival accompanied by dance and music concerts. Jolly good Bengalis.

Rash Festival of the Monipuris

The world Rash is derived from the Bengali word 'Rosh' (its exact English meaning cannot be ecpressed but I is the state of mind depicting the romantic emotional disposition with the blend of human and pleasure of the sense creating ecstasy, related to the myths of Radha-krishna in which the disposition of the spiritual side of our nature is reflected).

The play to experience Rosh is the Roshleela or Play of Rosh, introduced first by Lord Sri Krishna (the most celebrated hero and popular deity of Hindu mythology). It was an event of the Dapor (the third of the four yugas or ages of the world according to Hundu mythology), which took place at Sribrojodham.

Based on the Roshleela, the Rash Festival that takes place nowadays in Bangladesh has a different origin as it was introduced by the famous Monipuri Kind Bhagya Chandra Singha. Legends of the Monipuri people depict that kind Bhagya Chandra Singha, inspired by a dream arranged the first Roshleela Festival in 1769 where his daughter Lairobi played the role of Radha (the celebrated mythical woman loved by Sri Krishna) and danced in the festival attire.

In Bangladesh the Rash Festival is celebrated exclusively by the Monipuri community through generations as an integral part of their religion, culture and heritage. The Roshleela is held towards the end of the Bengali moth of kartik every year. A festival of song and dance to commemorate the memory of love between the Hindu god Krishna and Radha Rash Festival is a spectacular occasion of ornate costume and expuisite ceremonial for the Monipuri. The beauty and solemnity of the costumes, presentation and even the stage decorations of the Roshleela festival possess a unique and matchless character. Despite being the religious and cultural representation of the common people, the Rash Festival is often mistaken for a royal ceremony. In reality, although the festival had its origin in the roya court, the common people spontaneously accepted it as their own festival. Kamalganj upazilla under Moulvi Bazar district is the main venue of the festival for Monipuri devotees.

The Bishunpria community of the Monipuri tribe celebrates the occasion. Devotees from all parts of Bangladesh and even from India arrive at this place to join in the celebration. About a thousand shops are opened at the time of the fair held during the festival. Other main attractions of the fair are puppet show, Jatra (theatre), merry-go-round and many more.

Saraswati Puja

Saraswati Puja is celebrated by the Hindu community in the month of Magh of the vedic Calendar. Saraswati is the Goddess of knowledge, music and the arts and is identified with the Vedic Saraswati Rive.

She is the daughter of Durga and is seen alongside her during Durga Puja celebrations along with her sister Lakshmi and her brothers Ganesh and Karthikeya. Ooks and all musical instruments are ceremoniously kept near the goddess and worshipped with special prayers, however, no studies or any performance of arts is carried out, as it is considered that the Goddess herself is blessing the books and the instruments.In Bangladesh this Puja is celebrated collectively in temples but it is also equally popular among students who arrange puja offerings for Saraswati, Goddess of eloquence and learning, in their educational institutions and residences, to seek blessings from the deity for enriching their knowledge. In the capital, Saraswati Puja mainly take place at Jagannath Hall on the Dhaka University campus and Dhaka Medical College.

Sitakunda Fair

On the way to Chittagong after crossing into Sitakunda area by road or rail, a green chain of high hills can be seen on the east. Among these, Chandranath hill is the highest. A thousand-year-old Shiva temple stands at the top of the Chandranath hill. There are many other old temples situated at various part os the 500m high hill. Thousand of devotees gather at the temple at night on 14th Falgun. The famous fair of Shb Chaturdoshi continues for three days following religious rituals. This is the oldest fair in the subcontinent.

The number of devotees visiting the temple and the fair sometimes exceeds one hundred thousand. The fairground extends up to 10km from Sitakunda bazar. According to the Hindu believers the Chandranath temple is one of the 3 main places of pilgrimage in the world in Kaliyug. Legend says that the Hindu god Ram visited this place with beloved wife Sita and dug a 4 feet deep waterhole for her to take a bath. This was later named Sitakunda.

Wangala Festival of the Garos

Wangala festival of the Garo community of Mymensingh district of Bangladesh is celebrated in honour of Saljong, the Sun-god of fertility. It has also been an occasion for preserving and promoting the cultural identity and diversity of the Garo community. The Festival marks the end of a period of toil, which brings a good harvest in the fields. It also signifies the onset of winter. Also known as a 100 drums festival, Wangala Festival with customary dance and music in which young and old dressed in their colourful costumes with feathered headgears dance to the tune of music played on long oval-shaped drums. The 'orchestra' of men includes drums, gong and flutes, punctuated by the sonorous music of an primitive flute made of buffalo horn. For days the Garo Hills and valleys of Mymensingh echoe with the extraordinary beat of drums and attract tourists from home and abroad.