bangladeshi festival

bangladeshi tribal drama

Bangladeshi Festivals

Eidul Fitar is the biggest festival in Bangladesh. Since it is a country where majority people are muslims, Eid is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm, festivity, joy and merriment. This festival is not just celebrated by the religious muslims, it is celebrated by all walks of life. People of all ages participate in the Eid congregation with religious fervor. Most people buy new dress on the eve of this day. The shopping malls get crowded with shoppers who get cloths for not only themselves but try to bring smile by getting new clothes and other necessary items for their near and dear ones. Sharing gift and exchanging greeting cards are common that start even 

eidul fitor

 

 

many days before Eid. The meaning of Eid is fun. Whoever observes month long fast break their fasting in this day. Eating sweets are very common followed by numerous other delicious delicacies. Calling near and dear ones start couple days earlier with a greeting “Eid Mubarak”. People embrace each other on and after couple days of this day. It is a wonderful day to establish brotherhood, sharing, caring. Zakat is given to the needy. It can be mentioned that zakat is 2.5 percent of what wealth we have other than our necessary items at home. The wealth generally includes money, jewelry and often things that one keeps beyond their need.
Eid ul fitr is not a occasion for rich only, poor people are happy as they get lots zakat and fitra money and gifts which would not be possible otherwise.
Girls decorate their palm with hennas often in beauty parlor or at home. One does not need a reason to visit one’s neighbor’s house on this day. Everyone wears their new clothes that they buy for this occasion. Giving cash to the younger is a tradition. Sending text message and e-mail are common among new generation exchanging greetings.
Newspapers publish special supplements on this occasion. Television and radio air special programs. Some private TV channels air weeklong Eid programs. Different organizations organize programs to celebrate the day with merriment. Many city dwellers visit the parents and families in their respective places. 

bangladeshi wedding

 

 

So the city gets less crowded and traffic congestion doe not exist for few days in the big cities. The relatives and friends back home are happy to see them after a long time. Eid plays a vital role for establishing brotherhood, sharing and generosity.
Many Bangladeshis living abroad visit Bangladesh during Eid ul Azah or Eidul Fitr to share fun with their families. In fact having a Bangladesh trip during these festivals allows one to see many family members together which would otherwise not be possible.
 Durga puza is the biggest festivals of Hindu community in Bangladesh . During this time they worship the idols and share precious moments with their family. They buy new clothes and other necessary things on this occasion. During Puza time the neighborhood is loud with the beating of the drams which is a part of their celebration. Many go to the beach or river bank to submerge the idols in the river or Bay of Bangal ending the festival.

bangladeshi classic dance

Budda Purnima: It is the biggest festival for Budda community in Bangladesh . The Buddist community celebrates the festival with lots of enthusiasm and merriment. They buy new clothes and share precious moments on this day.

Christ mas is the biggest religious festival for Christain community in Bangladesh . It is celebrated with a lot of joy and festivity. They go to church before the Christ mas day. Gifts sharing and decorating the Xmas tree are two big parts of their celebration. Few 5 star hotels hold a huge gathering on this occasion.

: Independence Day 26th March 1971 The independence of Bangladesh was declared on 26th March 1971 following the crackdown by the Pakistani army on the night of 25 March 1971. Since then, the day has been observed as the Independence Day. On 3 October 1980, the government headed by President Ziaur Rahman decided to observe it as the National Day as well. Rally for Independence War On the occasion the national flag is hoisted atop all public buildings, and the streets and houses are draped in banners and festoons. Citizens including government leaders and socio-political organizations and freedom fighters place floral wreaths at the National Martyrs Monument at Savar. Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and other socio-cultural organizations hold cultural functions. In the morning, the school children take part in parade, games and sports, and in the evening, cultural and film shows are presented and the streets are illuminated to give the capital city a dazzling look. Special diet is served in hospitals, orphanages and prisons.

.: Bijoy Dibash The Victory Day, 16th December 1971

Bijoy Dibash commemorates the day in 1971 (16th December) when ninety thousand troops of the Pakistan occupation army surrendered to the allied forces of Bangladesh and India at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka. The day is observed with due solemnity and nationalistic fervour. The first ray of the morning is heralded with a 31 gun-salute. Triumph of Independence War In capital Dhaka, there is usually a ceremonial military parade in which all uniformed services are represented. Hundreds of thousands of people gather at the National Parade Square to watch this parade. Floral wreaths are laid at the Jatiya Smriti Saudha (National Memorial Monument) at Savar near Dhaka in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the country. [Helal Uddin Ahmed, Banglapedia]

.: Eid-e-Miladunnabi The birth and death day of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

Eid-e-Miladunnabi is the birth and death day of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He was born and died the same day on 12th Rabiul Awal (Lunar Month). The day is national holiday, national flag is flown atop public and private houses and special food is served in orphanages, hospitals and jails. At night important public buildings are illuminated and milad mahfils are held.

.: Eid-ul-Fitr The biggest Muslim festival

The biggest Muslim festival observed throughout the world. This is held on the day following the Ramadan or the month of fasting. In Dhaka big congregations are held at the National Eidgah and many mosques. Eid-ul-Fitr

.: Eid-ul-Azha The second biggest Muslim festival

The second biggest festival of the Muslims celebrated all over the world. It is held marking the Hajj in Mecca on the 10th Zilhaj, the lunar month. Eid congregations are held throughout the country. Animals are sacrificed in reminiscence of Hazrat Ibrahim's (AM) preparedness for the supreme sacrifice of his beloved son to Allah. It is a public holiday.                           .: Pahela Baishakh The begining of Bangla New Year The advent of Bengali New Year is celebrated throughout the country with much pomp and funfair. The Day (mid-April) is a public holiday. People accord rushing reception for the day by bringing out rallies in Dhaka city with colourful dresses and festoons. The New Year begins at dawn, and the day is marked with various cultural activities: singing, processions, fairs and having traditional Panta at Ramna Park, Dhaka. Pahela Baishakh Tournaments, boat races etc. are held in cities and villages amidst great jubilation. Traditionally, businesses starts on this day with a new ledger (known as Halkhata), cleaning out the old. Singers sing traditional songs welcoming the new years. Food vendors sell traditional foods and artisans sell traditional handicrafts. .: Pahela Falgoon The first day of spring Another traditional day (though not a national holiday) is Pohela Falgoon, the first day of spring, which is observed across the city through traditional festivities and colourful programs. Spring fairs, cultural programs and exchanges of greetings and gifts among friends and beloved ones mark the day. People from all walks of life through the venues of different programs wearing colourful dresses including traditional 'Spring Saris' (worn by women) and 'Panjabi' Pahela Falgoon (worn by Men). Other programs of the day include exchange of flowers, gifts and 'Rakhi-Bandhan', and poetry recitations. .: Shaheed Dibash (the Martyrs' Day) The 21st February, International Mother Language Day The 21st day of February (Ekushey February) is being officially observed as the Shaheed Dibash (Martyrs' Day) since the emergence of Bangladesh. Nation pays respect and homage to the sacred souls of the martyrs' of Language Movement of 1952. On this day in 1952, students and youths rose in protest against the imposition of Urdu by the then government as the lone state language of Pakistan. Shaheed Minar Blood was shed on this day at the Central Shaheed Minar (near Dhaka Medical College Hospital) area to establish Bangla as a state language of the then Pakistan. All subsequent movements including struggle for independence owe their origin to the historic language movement. The Shaheed Minar (martyrs monument) is the symbol of sacrifice for Bangla, the mother tongue. The day is closed holiday. Mourning procedure begin in Dhaka at midnight with the song "Amar vaier raktay rangano ekushay February" (21st February, the day stained with my brothers' blood). Nations pay respect to the martyrs by placing flowers wreaths at the Shaheed Minar. The day has also been accorded recognition by the UNESCO as the international mother language day in 1999, and the day is being observed accordingly throughout the world since 2000.               Eid-ul-Azha