Devotees offer prayers at Beldih Kalibari on the first day of the Bengali new year on Thursday. (Bhola Prasad)

Jamshedpur, April 15: Enthusiasm and excitement were in the air as Bengalis in the steel city welcomed the new year with prayers and cultural programmes today.

Early this morning, devotees — especially women — lined up at the Beldih Kalibari in Bistupur to offer prayers on Poila Baisakh.

However, the soaring temperatures and humidity kept a number of devotees away. The celebrations, comprising food festivals, dance and musical programmes in the city, will continue till the weekend.

“It is Poila Baisakh and what could be a better way to start a year than by taking the blessings of goddess Kali? I have been offering prayers at the Kalibari for many years now. I wish this year to be more peaceful than last year,” said Shubhendu Das, a senior citizen residing here.

Other temples across the town also witnessed people offering prayers for their near and dear ones.

The Jharkhand Banga Parishad, a city-based cultural organisation, organised Borsho Boron, a musical extravaganza, at New Farm Area grounds in Kadma. Dohar, a band from Calcutta, performed at the event.

“The audience in Jamshedpur is very receptive. I hope music lovers, especially band lovers in the city, enjoyed our show. About 1,500 people attended the function,” said president of the cultural organisation Achintam Gupta.

The Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan also organised a cultural programme, comprising Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrul Geeti, at Aambagan. The Sabuj Kalyan Sangha, Telco, also organised a cultural programme presented by children of Telco area.

The prize distribution of their annual function took place today.

“This is a day when almost all Bengalis gather at one place to celebrate the new year through song and dance. The celebrations have been happening for 40 years and people present are given sweets. The cultural programme is then followed by a dinner for the members,” said Amit Chatterjee, the assistant secretary of Sabuj Kalyan Sangha.