People in West Bengal celebrate Mesha Sankranti as Naba Barsha or Pohela Boishakh. Since it is the first day of the Bengali Calendar, Pohela Boishakh is also known as Bengali New Year, which is celebrated in West Bengal and also among the Bengali communities in Assam, Tripura and other parts of the country.
In Assam, Pohela Boishakh is celebrated by the name Bihu, which is also the Assamese New Year.
Bengali era in ancient Bengal was started by King Shoshangko. It is estimated that the starting point of the Bengali era is 594 in the Gregorian calendar. Accordingly, Bengali year is 594 less than the Gregorian calendar, if it is before Pohela Boishakh, but 593 less if it is after Pohela Boishakh.
Bengali New Year | Pahela Baishakh | Bengal New Year