Six Seasons of Bengal
Summer
Grishmo
Months
The hottest season in Bengal. It brings fierce heat, Kalbaishakhi storms, mangoes and jackfruit, and it opens with Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year.
Characteristics
- Extreme heat
- Mango season
- Nor'wester storms
- Bengali New Year
Monsoon
Borsha
Months
The monsoon. It rains for days, rivers swell and the fields turn green almost overnight. Hilsa starts coming to the markets in this season.
Characteristics
- Heavy rainfall
- Flooding
- Hilsa fish season
- Lush greenery
Autumn
Shorot
Months
A season of clear blue skies, white clouds, kash grass and the scent of shiuli flowers. Durga Puja, the biggest festival of Bengali Hindus, is held in this season.
Characteristics
- Clear skies
- Shiuli flowers
- Durga Puja
- Pleasant weather
Late Autumn
Hemonto
Months
The harvest season. Aman rice is cut and the new grain is celebrated with Nabanna. Nights bring dew and the mornings are misty.
Characteristics
- Harvest time
- Nabanna festival
- Morning mist
- New rice celebration
Winter
Sheet
Months
The coldest season, with chilly mornings and nights. It is the time for date-palm sap, pitha and Poush fairs.
Characteristics
- Cold weather
- Date juice season
- Pitha festival
- Victory Day (Dec 16)
Spring
Boshonto
Months
The mildest part of the year, when shimul and palash are in bloom. Pohela Falgun, Dol Purnima and 21 February, International Mother Language Day, all fall in these two months.
Characteristics
- Flowers blooming
- Holi festival
- Mother Language Day
- Pleasant temperature