Winter is the season of fun and festivity here in Bangladesh. There are six seasons here that starts with the lovely spring and ends with dry and dull winter. But winter here is not only about chilly winds and misty mornings. It is also the time to celebrate new harvest that ushers in a lot of festivals, like Pitha Utshab, Poush Mela etc. Pitha is a local version of cakes. Ground rice, molasses and milk are the basic ingredients for almost all the Pithas. But there are variations in terms of regions and lifestyles. In some areas, the hot and spicy flavors dominate, while in other areas it is a sweet taste, which is predominant. Regions, which produce huge amounts of rice, obviously have a wider variety of pithas. Among the many variations and choices, Bhapa, Chitoi, Puli are the common ones. These are found in almost all the regions of the country. Adding new ingredients to the basic recipe creates mouth watering varieties.

The new harvest is primarily a rural feature that denotes new beginning to the grassroot level masses. But the feeling of fulfillness and festivity is far reaching.

Once the harvest makes its way to the village homes, the towns and cities also begin to feel the pulse of festivity.
Pitha Utsav (festival of the Pithas) and Poush Mela (a fair on the first day of Poush, a month of the winter season) are popular cit-festivals during winter. These are celebrated by different socio-cultural organisations. These are day-long; at times week-long festivals. The urban population really can not afford to keep pace with the traditions. So, to let the city dwellers taste the century-old traditions, these fairs are held in the towns and cities. These fairs come as a respite to these people, since the mechanised life does not have much to offer in this respect.

The Poush Mela is a relatively new addition to the metropolis city's cultural scene. But this fair has been held in the villages for years and years. The theme of this fair is to welcome the new harvest, along with traditional folk songs and folk foods. These fairs start just after dawn, usually on a weekend. Steaming hot Bhapa Pitha, freshly made Chitoi Pitha, Delicious.
Puli and Pakan Pitha are all there to meet the need of the day, rather season. Folk songs and folk dances depicting the beauty of winter are also there to entertain the visitors. Bright marigolds and scarlet roses dominate the winter scenario. The dull and dry days of winter come alive with all the fun and festivity.

Apart from these fairs different types of Pithas are sold in specialty shops. There are only 2-3 shops in Dhaka that offer different types of Pitha. One is the Baily Pitha Ghor (Baily Road) and the other is a relatively new outlet Patishapta (Elephant Road). One can get varieties of Pitha in these shops not only in winter but throughout the year.

Catering to weddings, family functions and to the common peoples' quench for traditional treats, these outlets are getting popular each day. There are also the roadside vendors whose expertise and appeal is the same, if not more.
The fading traditions of winter are thus being revived and kept alive by the tireless efforts of a bunch of people, through Pithas and Poush Melas and by nature being adorned by marigolds and roses.
- Asma Ali