Bangladesh is a country where colourful festivals are held throughout the year in a befitting manner and with great zeal and zest. With changes in social and economic structures, the nature of festivals also changes. But some festivals are so deeply rooted in the social organism that they continue to entertain people from generation to generation. Some of the festivals bear the mark of the community and nation, some have the stamp of religion, and again some bear the impress of politics. Festivals, which evolved in the primitive society out of the prayer for food, have now become varied and colourful. The main foundation of festivals is ritual and most of the ancient rituals were collective activities. Many of the rituals were related to agriculture and their dates were determined according to the lunar calendar. The ancient rituals were magical processes to tame supernatural powers; in subsequent cultures, this characteristic feature was usually retained. The spontaneous agro-based ancient festivals lost their spontaneity with the passage of time and became more formal.
Festivals of the Muslims
The main Muslim festivals are Eid and Muharram. From time to time folk culture has influenced these festivals, as a result of which the original religious practices have changed.
Eid consists of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha. Eid-ul-Fitr is observed after the end of the month of Ramadan. The social meaning of Eid is a joyful festival, while its etymological meaning demotes returning lime and again. Like all other social festivals, Eid returns every year. Same is the case with Eid-ul-Azha. The celebration of those two festivals in the early period was influenced by the folk belief of the peasants. Later on, a few other religious practices and customs were added.
One of the main features of the Eid festival is the preparation of special food an drink. The food would include korma,pilau and various types of homemade pitha, semai and jarda. One of the main characteristic features of Eid in the nineteenth century Dhaka was the Eid procession. Probably the Naib-Nazims of Dhaka introduced this practice after taking the cue from the famous Janmastami procession of Dhaka. After being stopped for some time, such processions were again revived a few years ago. In many cases, local or urban culture has also made an impact on this festival.
The main feature of Eid-ul-Azha is the sacrifice of animals, especially cows and oxen. Many people in the villages sacrifice domestically raised cows or goats. The majority of the professionals in towns sacrifice cows on a share basis. The well to do sacrifice cows or goats or both animals on their own. Eid for the common people means meeting family members and friends, buying new clothes and preparing delicious food on the Eid day. Hoseni Dalan, also spelt Husaini Dalan, is a Shia shrine in the old part of the Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was built in the 17th century AD during the Mughal Period. This shrine commemorates the martyrdom of Imam AI Husain (R), grandson of Hazrat Mohammed (SM), during the battle of Karbala on 10 October 680 AD.
Although the Sunni sect is in the majority in Bangladesh, there is a small number of Muslims belonging to the Shia sect in Dhaka. During the first 10 days of Muharram, it becomes a centre of mourning and religious celebration in old Dhaka. Both the Sunni and the Shia followers join the mourning, ending in the festival of Ashura when a great procession parades through the city streets.
At present, Muharram is observed in the remote areas of the districts of Dhaka, Manikganj and Tangail in a somewhat different fashion. In some houses of different locations, Muharram is observed according to the folk customs centering on saints and fakirs, which have continued on the basis of regular line of descent.
Festivals of the Hindus
The biggest religious festival of the Hindu community in Bangladesh is the festival of Durga Puja. Hindus participate in this festival with great devotion. Durga Puja is an old festival but it is difficult to say with any degree of certainty exactly how old it is. The oldest manifestation of goddess Durga, who slew the Mahisasura, belonged to the fifteenth century AD. A series of festivals, centering on DurgaPuja, is held in Bangladesh.
Usually, on the sixth lunar day of the bright fortnight in the Bengali month of Ashwin, the ceremonial awakening of the goddess Durga takes place. Thereafter, Puja is performed for three days on the seventh, eighth and ninth and the immersion of the image of the goddess Durga (with her companions) takes place on the tenth day. People exchange greetings during a period of fifteen days after the immersion of the image of the deity.
On the following full-moon day, Laksmi Puja takes place. Before that, on the new moon day usually in the month of Kartik,Kali Puja is performed. Then, on the last day of the Bengali month of Kartik, Kartik Puja (worship of god Kartik who is the commander-in-chief of heavenly forces) is performed. On the fifth lunar day of the bright fortnight in the Bengali month ofMagh, Saraswati Puja (the Hindu goddess of learning and music) is held. It is particularly popular among the students. The series of Pujas, which starts in Ashwin with Durga, comes to an end with Saraswati.
The celebration of Janmastami (lord Krishna's birthday) is an old festival of this region, particularly of Dhaka City. In almost all the regions of the subcontinent, this day is observed in some manner as a religious festival. Janmastami is celebrated in Dhaka with special pomp and grandeur.
Festivals of other Communities
Apart from the Hindus, there are also two other religions communities in Bangladesh, viz., the Christians and the Buddhists, who observe religious festivals of their own. The main festival of the Buddhists is Buddha Purnima or Baisakhi Purnima. The birth of Buddha, his adoption of asceticism, attainment of supreme enlightenment, nirvana - all these occurred on the full-moon lunar day in the month of Baisakh and as a result this is the most important and solemn festival of the Buddhists. Baisakhi Purnima is celebrated in Bangladesh with great splendour.
Christians observe their main religious festival, Christmas Day, on 25 December on the occasion of Jesus's (PBUA) Birthday. The main components of this festival are special prayers offered in churches, arrangement of feasts and offering of gifts among friends and relatives.
In today's Bangladesh, another festival is gaining prominence, which is not related to religion - it is Bangla new Year's day or Pahela Baisakh. It is observed with great enthusiasm on the first day of Baisakh. Its main characteristic is that it is a social festival and its appeal is universal.
The Halkhata function, observed mainly by the merchant community, is still in vogue on the occasion of Pahela Baisakh. The merchants complete their accounts of the previous year on the eve or New Year's Day. For this, many of them use a special kind or ledger having the cover made up of red cloth, which is known as khero khata. On this day, the customers pay some advance and the merchants treat them with sweetmeats. There are some who prepare better quality food, including sweetmeats, on the occasion of the New Year's Day Of the regional functions arranged on this occasion, mention may be made of the Bali Khela or wrestling held in Chiltagong in the name of a certain anti-British nationalist called Jabbar.
However, the biggest function on the first day of Baisakh is the holding of fairs. In some places, such a fair continues for a week or even a fortnight. These fairs are the altered forms of the ancient seasonal, agricultural and other festivals of the country. Baisakhi fair has no religious fervour. On the first day as well as first week of Baisakh, about 200 fairs are held throughout Bangladesh. In the fairs arranged in Dhaka and also in other towns and urban areas, along with the earthen and handicraft items, book fairs are also held. Many publishing houses present books to the clients as tokens of New Year’s good wishes.
Pohela Boisakh
Bengali New Year or Poyela Boishakh is the first day of the Bengali calendar, celebrated in both Bangladesh and West Bengal, and in Bengali communities in Assam and Tripura. It coincides with the New Year's Days of numerous Southern Asian calendars.
Poila Boishakh connects all ethnic Bengalis irrespective of religious and regional differences. In India, in West Bengal and Assam it is a public (state) holiday and is publicly celebrated in mid April. In Bangladesh, it is a national holiday celebrated around 14 April according to the official amended calendar designed by the Bangla Academy.
Bashanta Utshav
Thousands of young people, both male and female, are taking part in the twin celebrations of Pahela Falgun[The first day of Spring according to Bangla calender] and Valentine’s Day today welcoming the advent of spring and sharing the great day of love.
The youngsters celebrate the occasions wearing colourful dresses, carrying flowers in their hands and singing love songs as well as spring songs.
Poush Mela
Poush Mela is an annual fair and festival that takes place in Ramna Botomul, in Dhaka, marking the harvest season. Commencing on the1st day of the month of Poush, the fair officially lasts for three days, although vendors may stay up until the month-end. The key characteristic of this fair include live performances of Bengali folk music, notably baul music.
Nobbano Utshob
The villagers arrange a party for getting new crops. This party is called Nobanno Utshob -Festival of foods made by new paddy. In this party the villagers welcome their neighbors and guests with chira, murri and many kinds of pittha (home made cakes). In this way they celebrate their Nobbano Utshob for the winter season.