Poila Baishakh or Nabobarsha marks the beginning of Bengali New Year. In 2011, April 15 marks the day of Bengali New Year 1418. Bengalis follow the traditional solar calendar which is also used in Assam, Tripura, and Bangladesh. The following day of Mesha Sankraman marks the beginning of New Year in Bengal. Baisakh month is the first month in traditional Bengali panji.
On the same day Assamese New Year (Rongali or Bohag Bihu) and other solar new years in India are also celebrated.