Dinajpur Correspondent:

As the month of Agrahayan dawns, Dinajpur comes alive with the age-old celebration of Nabanna Utsab (festival), marking the harvest of new rice.

From the villages of the upazila to the bustling streets of the town, the sweet aroma of freshly harvested paddy drifts through crisp winter mornings, carrying with it the joy and anticipation of a bountiful season.

In Jhagorupara village of Khanpur Union, the Nabanna Utsab has already unfolded, infusing local life with colour, excitement, and the warmth of communal celebration. The enthusiasm has now spread to Birampur Upazila, where preparations for the festival are in full swing.

The sights and sounds of Nabanna Utsab in the villages are a vivid tableau of tradition. Farmers, working shoulder to shoulder in the golden fields, harvest rice with meticulous care.

Courtyards bustle as grains are spread out to dry under the sun, each moment a reflection of centuries-old Bengali agrarian culture.

Central to Nabanna Utsab is the sharing of the first fruits of the harvest, known as ‘Nabanner Bhog’. Villagers prepare a rich array of traditional delicacies – pithas, pulis, kheer, payesh, chitoi, bhapa, patishapta, and other local treats offering a taste of heritage with every bite.

The festival also sees the ritual sacrifice of cattle, with the meat distributed among households, ensuring that the spirit of sharing touches every family. Homes, lanes, and courtyards are adorned with vibrant decorations, bringing the entire village alive in festive cheer.

Nabanna Utsab is no longer confined to rural spaces. Charakai village in Ward No 1 of Birampur municipality recently joined the celebrations, as urban families embraced their agrarian roots and joined the harvest festivities. Elsewhere across the upazila, excitement continues to build as communities prepare for the festival.

On 29 November, villages such as Ekra and Mongolpur in Jotbani Union will host their own Nabanna Utsab, with rice harvesting already.

Birampur Upazila Agricultural Officer Kamal Krishna Roy said, “Nabanna Utsab is inseparable from our agrarian economy and culture. The joy of bringing in the new rice harvest has been celebrated for generations. This year, favourable weather has ensured a satisfactory yield, spreading smiles across the villages.”

He added, “We provide farmers with modern technology, high-yield rice varieties, and proper guidance to maximize their benefit from harvest to processing. Nabanna Utsab is a reflection of the success and resilience of our agriculture.”