The nation celebrated Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year 1421, amid much pleasure, joy and gaiety.
The day was a public holiday in Bangladesh.
To welcome the Bengali New Year, different socio-cultural organisations and government institutions chalked out elaborate programmes in the capital as elsewhere across the country.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police took tight security measures in order to ensure peaceful celebration of Pahela Baishakh.
The programmes of the day began at dawn with the musical soiree of Chayanat, a leading cultural organisation of the country at Ramna Batamul in the capital city .
City people started the day with the traditional breakfast of “panta bhat” (soaked rice), green chillies, onion, and fried Hilsha fish at Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka University campus, Rabindra Sarobor at Dhanmondi and other amusement places.
The Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University (DU) brought out a colourful procession from campus with decorative replicas of animals as well as elements of Bengali culture.
Besides, Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar aired special programmes highlighting the significance of the Bengali New Year.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the nation in separate messages on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh.
To mark the Bengali New Year, improved diet was served at all the central jails, hospitals and orphanage centres.
All museums were open on the day so that students and disabled children could visit those without tickets.