Bengalis living across the country are gearing up to celebrate Poila Baisakh or Naba Barasha, the traditional Bengali New year which is falling on 15 April this year.

Te festival celebrated in the month of Vaishakh or Baisakh and marks the first day of the the first month of Bengali year. For Bengalis it means starting fresh with new cloths, new account books and of course food.

Bengali restaurants around Mumbai and other cities usually are filled with traditional dishes from the state like Fish preparations, chingri malai kadi, kashamangsho or some spicy mutton gravy along with the important part of Bengali cuisine, Sweets.

In houses people prepare both Vegetarian and non-Vegetarian dishes along with sweets to celebrate day along with cultural festivities involving dance, music and singing.

Bengali traders around the country practice a tradition of Haalkhatha, which means they open new register and account books for good luck on this day. Women buy a new saree specially a white saree with red border and men wear dhoti kurta. The houses are decorated with flowers and Rangolis and day starts with early morning processions.

A day before the Poila Baishakh, that is 14 April, people will mark Sankanranti in which they start the day with 'Satu and Gudd'. The day involves some prayers and placing of idols in water.