Flowering time in Bengal

'Look amongst the verses of Robi Thakur and you will know when the flowers bloom,' said my mother.

Shewli’r dale kuri bhore elo. ....The branches of the Shewli are fast filling up with buds
Togor phutilo mela..... .............The Togor is blooming a plenty
Madhobilotar khoj niye jai...... The Madhavilata’s news is sought
Moumachi dui bela.................. By the honeybee twice a day.

Robi Thakur

'And do not forget Kalidas!'

Shundori’r padaghate Ashok phool phote….When a beautiful woman strikes the Ashok tree with her foot it
shall burst into flower.

Kalidas

Ashok Shashti, the onset of spring, went by on the 1April 2008 when traditionally the mothergoddess Shashti, the preserver of children, is remembered and the Ashok flower eaten by all mothers.