Biju and Boisabi
বিজু ও বৈসাবি
The hill tracts' new-year festival, when flowers float on the river and homes open to guests.
At a glance
- Where
- Rangamati district, Chattogram division
- Best time
- spring (Feb–Mar)
Boisabi is a combined name for the new-year festivals of the hill communities: Boisu of the Tripura, Sangrai of the Marma and Biju of the Chakma. In Rangamati, Biju begins with Phool Biju, when people float flowers on the lake and rivers at dawn. On the main day, families cook pajon and sweets and visit each other's homes. The festival runs over the last days of Chaitra and the start of Boishakh, in mid-April.
Good to know
Be a considerate guest; ask before photographing rituals.
Common questions
Where can you see Biju and Boisabi?
In Rangamati district, Chattogram division.
When can you see Biju and Boisabi?
Spring (Feb–Mar).
More from Rangamati
District guide →
Place Kaptai Lake
কাপ্তাই হ্রদThe country's largest man-made lake, a maze of green islands best explored by slow boat.
Place Rangamati Hanging Bridge
রাঙামাটি ঝুলন্ত সেতুA red suspension footbridge over an arm of the lake, the best-known landmark of Rangamati town.
Place Sajek Valley
সাজেক ভ্যালিA ridge-top village in the far north of Rangamati, famous for sunrise over seas of cloud.
Place Shuvolong Waterfall
শুভলং ঝর্ণাA tall cascade tumbling down a cliff straight into Kaptai Lake, reached only by boat.
Nearby
Representative photo Food Pajon
Rangamati · পাজনA Chakma festival curry of many vegetables cooked together, served to every guest during Biju.
Food Bamboo Chicken
Rangamati · ব্যাম্বু চিকেনSpiced chicken sealed in a green bamboo tube and roasted over coals until smoky and tender.
Food Kaptai Lake Kachki and Chapila
Rangamati · কাপ্তাই হ্রদের কাচকি-চাপিলাTiny silver kachki and chapila fish netted fresh from Kaptai Lake, fried crisp or cooked with onion and chilli.
Food Naniarchar Honey Queen Pineapple
Rangamati · নানিয়ারচরের হানিকুইন আনারসSmall, very sweet Honey Queen pineapples grown on the hills of Naniarchar.