New Delhi, April 13 -- One of the most special festivals of the Bengali community, Poila Baisakh or Pohela Boishakh, marks the first day of the initial month of Baishakh of the Bengali solar calendar and announces the commencement of the Bengali New Year or Nobo Borso. It is celebrated with much pomp in West Bengal and Bangladesh and also happens to be a national holiday in Bangladesh while coinciding with other regional festivals in India like Baisakhi in Punjab, Vishu in Kerala, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and Bihu in Assam.

This year, Pohela Boishakh will be observed on Sunday, April 14.

Several theories are believed to be the origin of Poila Baisakh. It is believed that during the Mughal rule, the collection of taxes was followed with th...