North Bengal's Unique Tyarea Festival: Winter Farewell with a Pitcher of Water!

• The traditional 'Tyarea' festival of the Rajbanshi community is celebrated in North Bengal on the 13th of Falgun.
• This ancient folk tradition marks the farewell of winter and the welcoming of spring.
• Women and children gather at crossroads, offering prayers with local flowers like Shimul and Palash on banana peels or leaf cups.
• Participants pour a bucket of cold water over themselves after the ritual and head home without looking back, symbolizing winter's departure.
• The festival includes 'Rakhal Seba' and a colorful procession, with former MLA Mitali Roy emphasizing its role in preserving folk culture.