DHAKA: Like previous years, the world's search engine giant is celebrating Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla new year, by replacing its regular home page graphic with a special doodle.

The doodle, featuring a parade of colorful banners in the shape of an elephant, has been on Google’s homepage since early Saturday. 

In the Doodle, Google depicts the annual Mangal Shobhajatra procession. During the parade, colorful masks of national creatures are hoisted above the celebrating crowds. 

Pahela Baishakh celebrations started during Mughal Emperor Akbar’s reign, when it was customary to clear all dues on the last day of the Bangla month Chaitra as businessmen would open “halkhata”-  new books of accounts for the new year.

Google Doodle is a special, temporary alteration of the logo on Google’s homepage that is intended to celebrate holidays, events, achievements and people. The doodle was introduced in 1998.

BDST: 2154 HRS, APR 14, 2018
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