Nation celebrates Pahela Baishakh - Dhaka

Hundreds of thousands of revelers thronged in and around the capital’s Ramna Batamul area at dawn on Saturday to greet the Bangla New Year 1419 amid a colorful festivity.

The festivity in the city began after sunrise with the people swarming the banyan tree at Ramna Udyan, the focal point of celebrations in the capital, where artistes of cultural organisation Chhayanaut sang the traditional Pahela Baishakh song of Rabindranath Tagore--"Esho hey Baishakh esho esho"--to welcome the Bangla New Year.

Women wearing colourful saris and men in punjabi and pyjama turned out early in the morning to dance and sing at major centre points in the capital that also include Suhrawardy Udyan, Shahbagh and Dhaka University campus.

Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University brought out Mangal Shobhajatra, a colourful procession, from the institute gate in the morning.

Besides, cultural functions are being held at Ramna Udyan, Institute of Fine Arts and elsewhere in the capital.

People from all walks of life milled around Baishakhi Mela (fair) -- a major feature of Bangla New Year celebration.

They have Panta Bhat and fried hilsha with onions and green chillies at home and Baishakh gatherings.

The Bangalees across the country are also celebrating the first day of Bangla year.