Winter in Bengal

Winter has a very special significance in Bengali Culture. This time of the year is regarded as the most blooming season in Bengal from the perspective of cultural enrichment. The people of Bengal not only enjoy the cold weather but also celebrate many global festivals like X-Mas and New Year throughout the winter season. During the phase of winter, many families go for picnics; some even go for an outing which works as a break for many. People from all walks of life feel more lively with the presence of winter in their lives. The religious and tourist places become the center of attractions for most of the families during this phase of the year.

Having spent a span of dryness in the summer, the minds of Bengalis fill with immense rapture and joy with the appearance of the cold breeze that hints at the forthcoming winter. Just like its colorful cultural milieu the food habit of Bengalis has also a lot of variations. From Sweets to spices the plates of Bengalis remain full throughout this time. Gur (Molasses), which is a popular food of Bengalis seems to be an inevitable part of winter, without its presence the winter of Bengalis shall never be a desirable time for most. Regardless of age, from children to old men all enjoy the shivering that prevails in the air from December to mid of February. Places like Alipur Zoo, Jadughar, etc. remain overcrowded throughout this time.    

Most importantly with the arrival of winter, nature appears more colorful as the gardens and rooftops of maximum houses are decorated with several colorful flowers. For many gardeners, winter is certainly a blessing as it gives them with an abundance of opportunities to bloom plenty of colorful flowers like Roses, Petunia, Marigolds, and many more. Now when we talk about foods, especially of winter the list looks endless and uncountable. Nalen Gurer Sandesh, Khejurer Ros, Payesh, Patishapta, and many more delicious foods really enrich the cultural value of Bengal.

However, besides all the positive sides winter too has a few negative impacts on our society. People from the lower strata are the main victims; who tremendously struggle to cope up with life during the dark cold nights of winter. Their inadequate households stuff and winter dresses counts them among many other vulnerable species in our surroundings. They have to tolerate the unbearable cold and have to manage their lives against all the odds and uncomfortableness. Similarly, there are many innocent animals like puppies who suffer from the bone-shivering cold in the winter nights, and often the challenging nights take many of their lives like many other regular incidents in our lives.