Pahela Falgun, Valentine’s Day being celebrated

Basanta Utsab celebration at Bakultola of Fine Arts faculty of Dhaka University on 14 February. Photo: Dipu Malakar
Basanta Utsab celebration at Bakultola of Fine Arts faculty of Dhaka University on 14 February. Photo: Dipu Malakar

Streets in Dhaka and other big cities have taken on a festive look with youth wearing red and yellow joining the celebrations of Pahela Falgun, the first day of Spring, and Valentine's Day, reports UNB.

Pahela Falgun usually falls on 13 February but this year it coincided with Valentine's Day as Bangla Academy has revised the Bangla calendar to match with the Gregorian calendar.

Falgun is the eleventh month of the Bengali calendar and the first month of the season, Spring, the king of the six seasons, brings back warm sunshine, budding flowers and singing birds.

Couple takes selfie at Dhaka University area. Photo: Dipu Malakar
Couple takes selfie at Dhaka University area. Photo: Dipu Malakar

Keeping pace with the rest of the world, Bangladeshis also celebrate Valentine's Day with their loved ones.

However, florists are not happy with the move of Bangla Academy as celebrations of Valentine's Day and Pahela Falgun are on the same day, cutting into their profits.

Clad in red and yellow, with flowers in their hands, hundreds of young boys and girls are thronging Bakultola of the Fine Arts faculty of Dhaka University, the centre of Bashanta Utshob, celebrations to welcome Spring with song, dance and poetry.

A foreigner also joined Pahela Falgun celebration. Photo: Dipu Malakar
A foreigner also joined Pahela Falgun celebration. Photo: Dipu Malakar

The youngsters are also gathering at Dhaka University’s Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), Arts Faculty, Curzon Hall, Mall Chattar in colourful clothes, exchanging flowers and gifts.

There are various programmes in the capital to welcome Spring. Different socio-cultural organisations will hold various programmes, including music festivals, on the DU campus throughout the day.

A couple wearing colorful attires celebrating at Dhaka University campus. Photo: Prothom Alo
A couple wearing colorful attires celebrating at Dhaka University campus. Photo: Prothom Alo

Marking Valentine's Day, various restaurants in the big cities of the country have arranged special offers. Gift shops are also trying to boost their businesses on the occasion with a varied range of gifts.

Both shopping malls and online business pages offered special gifts or matching clothes for couples. Flower markets are busy stocking red roses for the day.

Valentine's Day is an ancient Roman tradition which has been celebrated in European countries for ages.