বাংলা 
English 
October — the tenth month of the year, the meeting point of Bengal's Sharat and Hemant. Rafts of white clouds in a blue sky, the sway of the kashful, the joy of Durga Puja, the songs of Lalon's remembrance and the round of important international days — all together make October one of the most varied months of the year. Come, let us take a look at October's beauty, heritage and important days at a glance.
October at a Glance
- Bengali calendar: the second half of Ashwin and the beginning of Kartik (Bangabda 1433 in 2026)
- Season: the farewell of Sharat and the arrival of Hemant
- Origin of the name: from the Latin octo, meaning 'eight' — in the ancient Roman calendar it was the eighth month; after January and February were added, it became the tenth month
- Memorable in Bangladesh's context: the day of Fakir Lalon Shaiji's passing and the Lalon Commemoration Festival (1 Kartik), and the announcement of the Nobel for Dr Yunus and Grameen Bank (13 October 2006)
October and Bangladesh's Sharat
In Bangladesh, October means the meeting point of Sharat and Hemant. The latter half of the Bengali month of Ashwin and the first half of Kartik fall within this month. After the monsoon's farewell, nature then takes on a different look — clean and vivacious.
The heavy clouds recede and the sky turns blue, with rafts of white clouds drifting across it. The kashful sways by the riverbanks, in the open fields and beside the rail lines; in the morning the shiuli blossoms fall to the ground, and in the beels and haors the water hyacinth blooms. A light hint of winter mingles with the morning and evening breeze — though the midday sun is still sharp.
Beyond the bustle of the cities, this picture is even clearer in rural Bengal. When Kartik begins, the farmers start harvesting the early Aman paddy; from the latter part of the month, guest birds from distant lands begin to set foot in the country's haors, beels and rivers. Then the wetlands resound with a fair of birdsong.
October in the Mood of Festivals
Bengal's great festivals are arranged around Sharat. Durga Puja often falls in October — the largest religious-cultural festival of Bangladesh and West Bengal. With the idols in the pandals, the illuminations, the beat of the dhaak, the prasad and the cultural programmes, the neighbourhoods come alive (the specific date changes each year according to the calendar). The festival goes beyond religious ritual to become a medium of social contact and mutual harmony.
October also often brings Kojagori Purnima (the Sharat full moon) — the custom of inviting guests and 'jochona khawa' on a moon-filled night still survives in many families. And on Kartik Purnima is celebrated Ras Purnima, dear to the Vaishnavas. On the world stage, 31 October is celebrated as Halloween — one of the most popular festivals of the Western world, whose touch has now reached our urban youth as well.
A Special Day for Kushtia: the Day of Fakir Lalon Shaiji's Passing and the Lalon Commemoration Festival
The Baul saint Fakir Lalon Shah left this world on 17 October 1890 (1 Kartik of Bangabda 1297). Every year on 1 Kartik — that is, around the middle of the English October — his day of passing and the Lalon Commemoration Festival are observed at the Cheuriya akhra in Kushtia; devotees and admirers come rushing from home and abroad to the sadhusang, the sessions of Baul song and the fair.
In Sharat, the kashful sways along the banks of the Garai and the Mathabhanga. So in Lalon's Kushtia, October is not merely a season — it is a month of remembrance, song and heritage.
The Cultural Heritage of October
The Bengali people's way of life and culture are deeply connected with the six seasons. Sharat, famed as the 'queen of seasons', has returned again and again in Bengali literature, poetry, song and painting — from Rabindranath and Nazrul to Jibanananda Das, the blue sky, white clouds and kashful of Sharat are clearly present in the creations of them all.
In rural Bengal, the way of life changes with the change of seasons — farming, the tending of the crops, the arrangements of the home, even the patterns of cooking. At the end of Sharat comes the heralding message of the season of pithapuli.
Important International Days in October
Throughout October, some important world days are observed —
- 1 October — International Day of Older Persons (since 1991)
- 2 October — International Day of Non-Violence (Mahatma Gandhi's birthday; observed since 2007)
- 4 October — World Animal Day
- 5 October — World Teachers' Day (since 1994)
- 9 October — World Post Day (the day the Universal Postal Union was founded, 1874)
- 10 October — World Mental Health Day
- 11 October — International Day of the Girl Child (since 2012)
- 13 October — International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
- 14 October — World Standards Day
- 15 October — Global Handwashing Day and International Day of Rural Women
- 16 October — World Food Day (the day the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization — FAO — was founded, 1945)
- 17 October — International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
- 24 October — United Nations Day (founded 1945) and World Polio Day
- 31 October — World Savings Day
Besides, the first Monday of October is World Habitat Day and the second Thursday is World Sight Day. Respect for the elderly, non-violence, the importance of education, mental health, the rights of the girl child, food security and the eradication of poverty — these days give people the chance to think about the important matters of society and the world.
Historic Events of October
- 29 October 1929 — the Wall Street stock market crash; the beginning of the Great Depression
- 24 October 1945 — the founding of the United Nations
- 7 October 1958 — martial law imposed in what was then Pakistan
- 16–28 October 1962 — the Cuban Missile Crisis; the hottest thirteen days of the Cold War
- 31 October 1984 — India's Prime Minister Indira Gandhi assassinated
- 8 October 2005 — a devastating earthquake in Kashmir; tremors felt across South Asia
- 13 October 2006 — the announcement that Dr Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank had jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize; Bangladesh's first Nobel
October's Nature and Weather Characteristics
In Bangladesh's weather, October is a month of transition. Under the influence of the retreating monsoon, early in the month rain may still appear owing to low-pressure systems; gradually the country moves toward the dry season.
Daytime temperatures turn mild, and at dawn and night a light coolness forms — the heralding message of winter. Though there are regional differences, on the whole the weather of this time is quite comfortable — a good time for travelling about.
Some Fun Facts
- The names of the Nobel laureates are announced in October, but the prizes are handed out on 10 December — the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death.
- For those born in October, the birth flower is the marigold, and the birthstone is opal or tourmaline.
- In a common year (not a leap year), 1 January and 1 October fall on the same day of the week.
- October's full moon is famous for the moonlight of Sharat — on the night of Kojagori the sky remains filled with light.
October's Lessons and Message
October's days remind us of the important responsibilities of society and the world. And Sharat's nature reminds us how deep the bond between human beings and the environment is. While enjoying nature's beauty, the responsibility of preserving it is ours as well.
Conclusion
October is not just a month on the calendar; it is a beautiful blend of nature's change, festivals, culture and awareness. The blue Sharat sky of Bangladesh, the white clouds, the kashful, the joy of Durga Puja and the songs of Lalon's remembrance — all together make October distinct.
This stretch between the monsoon's farewell and winter's arrival gives us the chance to see nature anew; at the same time, the international days remind us of our social responsibilities and humane values. So October may be called — a month of many hues, carrying the beauty of Sharat, the joy of festivals and a message of awareness.
Questions and Answers
Which season prevails in Bangladesh in the month of October?
October holds the latter part of Sharat and the beginning of Hemant. The latter half of Ashwin and the first half of Kartik of the Bengali calendar fall within this month.
Where does the name October come from?
From the Latin word 'octo', meaning eight. In the ancient Roman calendar it was the eighth month; after January and February were added, it became the tenth month.
When are the day of Fakir Lalon Shaiji's passing and the Lalon Commemoration Festival observed?
Fakir Lalon Shah died on 17 October 1890 (1 Kartik 1297). Every year on 1 Kartik, his day of passing and the Lalon Commemoration Festival are observed at the Cheuriya akhra in Kushtia.
In which month came the announcement of Bangladesh's first Nobel Prize?
In the month of October itself — on 13 October 2006 it was announced that Dr Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank had jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize.
What are October's main international days?
International Day of Older Persons, Day of Non-Violence, World Teachers' Day, World Mental Health Day, Day of the Girl Child, World Food Day, Day for the Eradication of Poverty and United Nations Day.
