Bangalee (Bengali) people in Bangladesh, India and across the globe celebrate Bangla New Year on April 14 to 15 with fanfare, merriment and festivities.
The day is the first day of Boishakh, the first month in Bangla calendar, and thus the festival is popularly known as Pohela Boishakh (First of Boishakh.)
Pohela Boishakh is the largest cultural and non-sectarian annual festival in Bangladesh that celebrates the simple rural cultural heritage of ancient Bengal, which included West Bengal state of India and upholding of pluralism and harmony.
Daylong celebrations include music concerts, cultural programs and processions, street fairs, popular folk shows including snake charming, puppet show, cock fighting and plays.
(Photos by Stephan Uttom/ucanews.com and Piyas Biswas)