Nabanna Ustav – the rural Bengal festival on new crop

Bengal is a state where communal harmony between the two major religious groups exists. We respect and participate in each others festivals. Nabanna Utsav, the rural Bengal festival is something different from the other festivals. It is a festival of all communities. No religion is associated with this festival. Hindu, Muslim participate in this new crop festival with same enthusiasm.

During the start of winter when new crops are taken home from fields, Bengal celebrates this festival. This is a festival of food. Different delicious Bengali cuisines are prepared at home. Just like Bijaya Dashami of Durga Puja, members of one family go to the house of others. A cordial relationship among the villagers is still present in this unrest political situation of Bengal. Rice cake, 'pithe' is prepared in many families during this new crop festival.

Some villages arrange fair, cultural programs on Nabanna. Date of Nabanna varies from village to village.

In today's world, social relationship is at stake. The concept of 'para', social club, joint family every thing is absent in our lives. We are becoming more and more self centered. Bijaya Dhasami is now celebrated through mobile sms or e-mail. Nabanna Utsav is still celebrated in Bengal in a proper manner and more such festivals are needed for human benefits.