AGARTALA, April 14 (TIWN): The strong tremors of earthquake measuring 6.9 in magnitude which has hit the state of Thursdayevening just a few hours ahead of Bengali New Year’s celebration has failed to mar the spirit of new year’s celebrations on Thursday. An earthquake measuring 6.9 in magnitude hit Myanmar on Wednesday evening, triggering tremors in parts of Tripura, Kolkata, Guwahati, Patna, Bhubaneswar and, also, Delhi. Strong tremors were reported in Guwahati and Patna; mild ones were felt in Chennai and Delhi. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has said that there is no report of loss of lives and property in Sikkim, Siliguri and Kolkata due to the earthquake. Despite of strong tremors of earthquake felt in Tripura, people were seen getting themselves drenched in the celebration of welcoming Bengali new year on Thursday.

As the dawn of Apr 14 sets in, Bengalis all over the globe cheered aloud to welcome the first day of the Bengali New Year- 'Poila Boisakh'on Thursday. 

The occasion of Poila Boisakh is celebrated in both in the Indian state of West Bengal, Tripura and Bangladesh besides the Bengalis residing all over the globe.Even at this age, the festival of Halkhata is celebrated on the morning of Poila Boisakh as the businessman prays the Hindu Lord Ganesha and Lord Laxmi and also opening a new book of account.

In Tripura, a special occasion of Choitro sale is marked till the last day of the Bengali month if Choitra, where people can buy various goods ranging from clothes to mobile phones these days in a cheaper rate.

And on the first day of Boisakh, the traders give sweet packets to the buyers when they visit the shop.

As the mood of festivity sets in, girls and women, clad in traditional attires (dhoti and saree) visits various places including temples.

As Tripura is celebrating today Poila Baisakh, the Bengali New Year, stand alone eateries and restaurants of major hotels rolled out new dishes to greet the Bengali gourmet.

Joyful and culturally rich people of West Bengal celebrate Naba Barsha by dutifully performing set customs and traditions. To welcome the New Year, people clean and decorate their houses. A very important tradition of Naba Varsha is the making of elaborate rangolis or alpanas in front of the house by womenfolk. Rangolis are prepared with flour and its center is adorned with earthenware pot decorated with auspicious swastika. This pot is filled with holy water and mango leaves to symbolize a prosperous year for the family.