Spring is a time of celebration and joy – not just about being mesmerized by the wonders of nature, but also about coming together in a community. And if there’s one festival that celebrates it right, it has to be Basanta Utsav or Basanta Utsab. The festival, primarily celebrated as West Bengal’s spring festival, is primarily observed in the Hindu month of Phalgun. Let’s understand more about this unique festival!
West Bengal Basanta Utsav 2025
Basanta Utsav in West Bengal is no ordinary festival – it’s the way of the Bengali people to welcome a new, prosperous year. It is celebrated on the full moon day of Dol Purnima, also called by the name of Dol Utsav.
During the season of Basanta (spring), nature enters into a new cycle of life. A cycle of life that brings color, beauty, and a new zeal to nature. Just the way nature begins a new life in spring, the festivals in India celebrated during this season celebrate new beginnings too.
Basanta Utsav 2025 Celebrations
Basanta Utsav 2025 will be celebrated on 14th March. While many parts of India celebrate Holi by smearing colored powders on each other, there are festivals like Basanta Utsav that are more than just about applying colors to each other. On this day, people dress up in bright colors, especially in hues of yellow that represents the season of spring.
On the morning of Dol Utsav’s first day, idols of Lord Krishna and Radha are carried in processions and devotees delightfully swing the palanquins in which the idols are kept. During the second day, i.e. Dol, abir or phag is first applied to the photos of the deceased family members and then to the elders as a sign of respect. Then the colors are applied to each other. The third day is similar to the second one, and the fourth day marks the end of the festival.
Food Made On Basanta Utsav
Families make a variety of delicious foods and invite their relatives and friends for food. You have delicious sweet treats like Goja, Sondesh, and Dorbesh, as well as Malpua and Kheer.
Along with that, you have classic Bengali food items like Mangsho Bhaat (rice and mutton curry), Lau Shukto (bottle gourd curry), and Muri Ghonto (fish head cooked with short-grained rice).
Shantiniketan Basanta Utsav
Basanta Utsav was started by Nobel Laureate Shri Rabindranath Tagore, as he aspired for the human mind to grow within the expanse of nature’s bounty. He started it in Shantiniketan in 1923, and since then the Basanta Utsav at Shantiniketan became known throughout India. Even today, the Basant Utsav at Shantiniketan is well-known and thousands of people celebrate it with great joy.
On the day of the festival, it is a custom to circumambulate the Shantiniketan Ashram while singing spring songs and dancing to them. Teachers and students apply colored powder called Abir or Abhor to each other and students wear bright clothes in different shades of yellow to represent the warm and inviting season of spring. A number of cultural performances are also held here that attract plenty of visitors from India and abroad alike.
How To Reach Kolkata?
By Air
Kolkata has its own international airport – the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport of Kolkata, that is well connected with major Indian and international cities. From the airport, the city center is just 13 kilometers (km) away.
By Rail
The Howrah Junction in Kolkata’s city center is the major railway station here and you can find a train to any major city in India.
By Road
Kolkata enjoys connectivity with major Indian cities by expressways and national highways, such as NH 19, NH 2, NH 31, and NH 117.
How To Reach Shantiniketan?
By Air
The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport of Kolkata is the closest airport to Shantiniketan. It is about 3 hours away at a distance of 159 km. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or board a bus to reach Shantiniketan.
By Rail
The Bolpur Railway Station is the closest station to Shantiniketan (2-3 km). Many trains from the Howrah Junction can take you to Bolpur, from where you can simply get a rickshaw.
By Road
Shantiniketan enjoys great connectivity to major cities and towns in West Bengal. Kolkata is about 161 km away from the town. However, many state-run and private buses ply from the city to Shantiniketan.
Tips For Basanta Utsav
- If you wish to fully immerse yourself in the festivities, we recommend carrying yellow-colored clothing – be it a kurta, dress, pants, or even a sari! However, remember to wear comfortable clothing at all times.
- If you’re staying here for a few days, make sure that you sort out your accommodations and transportation beforehand.
- Carry essential items like sunscreen, lotions, and a hat as it might be hot in West Bengal during the festival.
- If you don’t wish to have abir thrown at you, you can use a shawl to cover your hair and face.
- Use natural colors and avoid using synthetic colors or pigments.
- Respect and embrace the local traditions and rituals. This will only help you in getting to know the local life more deeply.
Summing Up
The Basanta Utsav in West Bengal is a grand celebration of new and prosperous beginnings. It is a festival that celebrates joy, warmth, and togetherness. Be it in the city of Kolkata, the calm Shantiniketan, or any other town or village in West Bengal, Basanta Utsav 2025 is about to be celebrated in a grand, pompous way.
FAQs
Who Started Basanta Utsav?
Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore is credited with starting Basanta Utsav in West Bengal.
What Is The Dress Code For Basanta Utsav?
While there is no official dress code, people usually wear traditional and ethnic attire to celebrate their heritage. Women usually wear yellow-colored saris and men go for kurta and pyjamas.
In Which Season Of A Year Basanta Utsav Is Observed?
Basanta Utsav is observed as a farewell to the season of winter, and is celebrated to welcome the arrival of spring.
