Poush

Poush (Bengali: পৌষ; Nepali: पौष) is the 9th month of both the Bengali calendar and the Nepali calendar. It overlaps December and January of the Gregorian calendar. It is the first month of the winter season.

This month is named after the star পুষ্যা Pushya. This month marks the start of Winter শীত Shīt in the Bengali calendar.

During Poush crops are harvested and farmers often have ample food and income. Poush is therefore thought of as a good month. However, there is a Bengali saying, "For some it is the month of Poush, for others it is ruin."

In his novel Ganadevata, the noted Bengali writer Tarashankar Bandopadhyay quotes a rural rhyme:

Poush-Poush, golden Poush,

Come Poush but don't go away, don't ever leave,

Don't leave Poush, don't,

The husband and son will eat a full bowl of rice.