AGARTALA, April 14 (TIWN): With the beginning of the New Year celebration, traders are witnessed performing Haal Khata puja for the fresh starting of their business.

On Thursday, people are observed busy to perform Haal Khata— the quintessential accounts book of traditional business establishments, buy new panjika.

On this day people also ask the pandit of the temple to perform puja on their vehicles.

People also visit various temples. This tradition has been existent in this part of the world for nearly 430 years among traders and their customers.

It is to be mentioned here that 'Khata' means account book, while 'Hal' means updating. So, the Haalkhata day means when traders update their old account book and start a new one.

Businesses invite their clients on the day and entertain them with sweets and other traditional foods. Customers come and pay their dues and this way the annual account book is updated and the interaction between traders and their clients remain vibrant.

However, No celebration in a Bengali home can be complete without the mouth watering dishes and sweets. The aroma of deliciously prepared delicacies added up to the festive mood.

People are busy in making various dishes, decorating their houses.

Long queues were seen in front of restaurants serving Bengali delicacies on this special day. Besides, queues are also observed in front of the sweet shops.

Smiling traders welcomed customers with sweets and new Bengali calendars, as people went on a shopping spree.

However, people also exchange gifts with families and friends and with their close one. People prepare sweets visits the houses of the relatives and greet them. Children take blessings from the elder’s in their houses.

People from all spheres of life wear classic Bengali dress. Women wear saris, likewise, men prefer to wear panjabis.

However, families organize get together and enjoy meals together. Besides, they also exchanges gifts and sweets in the beginning of the year.