India: Mangal Shobhajatra marks Bengali New Year with unity, culture, and vibrant street procession

Biswarup Ganguly

As the first rays of the sun touch the city of Kolkata on the Bengali New Year, hundreds of people take to the streets in a vibrant cultural procession known as Mangal Shobhajatra. Organized annually at dawn on the 1st day of Bangabda, the Bengali solar calendar, the event is a vivid celebration of unity, peace, humanity, and heritage. Participants of all ages walk in unison, holding large, colorful masks, handmade posters, and traditional props that reflect Bengal’s deep cultural roots. Folk music, acrobatic performances, and symbolic displays add a dynamic visual and spiritual energy to the parade. The procession also commemorates King Shashanka, whose coronation in 594 CE marks the beginning of the Bangla calendar. The event thus links the past and present, blending historical reverence with modern expressions of creativity and hope. Mangal Shobhajatra is more than a cultural march - it’s a symbol of resilience, identity, and collective spirit, promoting values of harmony and social progress. In Kolkata, it transforms New Year’s Day into a vibrant canvas of Bengali tradition and forward-looking optimism.