Why is Pohela Falgun on February 14? What is Valentine's Day? And how to celebrate it?

 Why is Pohela Falgun on February 14? What is Valentine's Day? And how to celebrate it?

Image collected from Mehazabien Chowdhury Bangladeshi actress 

and model's Facebook

Pohela Falgun (also written as Pahela Falgun or পহেলা ফাল্গুন) is a vibrant cultural festival in Bangladesh that marks the first day of the Bengali month of Falgun, which is the official beginning of spring (Boshonto or বসন্ত) in the Bengali calendar. This day symbolizes renewal, the end of winter's chill, blooming flowers (like shimul, polash, and krishnachura), warm sunshine, and the joyful awakening of nature. It is deeply rooted in Bengali heritage, celebrating love for nature, youth, beauty, and life itself.

Why Does Pohela Falgun Fall on February 14 (Instead of 13)?

Valentine's Day

Historically, before 2019, Pohela Falgun usually fell on February 13 in the Gregorian calendar. The shift to February 14 happened due to revisions made by the Bangla Academy to the Bangladeshi national calendar (introduced around 2019–2020 and approved by the government).

The changes aimed to:

• Better align the Bengali calendar with the Gregorian (solar) calendar for consistency.

• Ensure important national historical dates (like February 21 for International Mother Language Day, March 26 for Independence Day, and December 16 for Victory Day) fall on matching Bengali dates every year without drifting.

• Adjust month lengths: The first six months (Boishakh to Ashwin) now have 31 days each, Kartik to Magh have 30 days, and Falgun has 29 days (except in Gregorian leap years, when it gets 30 days to account for the extra day).

These adjustments moved the start of Falgun forward by one day in most years, making Pohela Falgun coincide perfectly with February 14 from 2020 onward. As a result, in Bangladesh today, Pohela Falgun and Valentine's Day fall on the same date, creating a unique double celebration of love, colors, and romance—one rooted in Bengali tradition and the other global.

What is Valentine's Day?

What is Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day is a worldwide celebration observed every year on February 14. It honors romantic love, affection, and relationships. The day is named after Saint Valentine, a 3rd-century Roman priest who (according to legend) secretly married couples against the orders of Emperor Claudius II and was later executed. Over centuries, it evolved into a day for expressing love through gifts, cards, flowers (especially red roses), chocolates, dates, and heartfelt messages.

In modern times, Valentine's Day is commercialized with heart-shaped decorations, couples exchanging "I love you" notes, special dinners, and romantic gestures. While it originated in Western Christian tradition, it has become a global secular holiday celebrated in many countries, including Bangladesh, where it blends beautifully with local customs on Pohela Falgun.

The coincidence of the two days in Bangladesh has turned February 14 into a colorful fusion: spring's arrival meets romantic love, with flowers, music, and affection everywhere.

How to Celebrate Pohela Falgun (and Valentine's Day) in Bangladesh Style

Valentine's Day

Pohela Falgun celebrations are lively, youthful, and artistic, often starting early in the morning. Here's how people typically celebrate, and you can join in or adapt these ideas:

1. Dress in Traditional Spring Colors
   Wear vibrant outfits symbolizing spring:

• Women often choose yellow, red, orange, or saffron saris/blouses with floral designs, bangles, and flowers in their hair (like garlands of marigold or jasmine).

• Men wear colorful panjabis or kurtas in similar bright shades.
  This colorful attire represents blooming nature and joy.

2. Flowers and Nature
   Decorate with fresh flowers (shimul, polash, krishnachura, marigold). Give bouquets or floral crowns to loved ones—perfect for Valentine's romance too.

3. Music, Dance, and Cultural Programs
   Attend or organize events with Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, folk songs about spring (like "Esho Hey Boshonto" or "Fagun Haway Haway"), poetry recitals, and dances. Major spots in Dhaka include Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Arts (Charukola) Bakultala, Ramna Batamul, Rabindra Sarobar, or open parks. Groups like Jatiya Bashonto Utsab Udyapan Parishad host large programs.

4. Play with Colors (Abir)
   Apply colorful powder (abir) on friends' faces as a gesture of friendship and fun—similar to Holi but gentler.

5. Food and Pitha
   Enjoy seasonal sweets like pitha (rice cakes), especially date palm jaggery treats, and street food. Combine with Valentine's chocolates or heart-shaped desserts.

6. Romantic Gestures (Valentine's Twist)
   Exchange gifts, cards, chocolates, or flowers with partners. Many couples take photos in parks, go on dates, or attend combined events where spring romance blends seamlessly.

7. Gather with Friends & Family
   Meet at parks, universities, or homes for selfies, songs, and laughter. Youth especially love the day for its youthful energy.

In 2026 (as today is February 14), the day feels extra special with the perfect overlap—spring's warmth meets love's celebration. Whether you're welcoming Boshonto or expressing Valentine's feelings, it's a day full of color, music, flowers, and joy.

ফুল ফুটুক আর না ফুটুক, আজ বসন্ত এসেছে! (Whether flowers bloom or not, spring has arrived today!) Happy Pohela Falgun and Valentine's Day!