Poush


Poush is the 9th month of both the Bengali calendar and the Nepali calendar. It overlaps December and January of the Gregorian calendar. It is the first month of the winter season.This month marks the start of Winter in the Bengali calendar.

Etymology

This month is named after the star Pushya.

Culture

During Poush crops are harvested and farmers often have ample food and income. Bengali people celebrate Poush Sankranti as one of their festival on the last day of Poush. They make Pitha at their homes and share those among each others. Bangladesh Poush Mela Udjapon Parishad organises a three-day fair in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
In his novel Ganadevata, the noted Bengali writer Tarashankar Bandopadhyay quotes a rural rhyme: