[Points: Introduction—summer—the rainy season—autumn winter—spring.]
According to the Hindu almanac the year is divided into six seasons of two months each. But from the climatic point of view, we have five seasons,-summer, the rainy season, autumn, winter, and spring.
Summer begins from about the third week of April and continues up to the end of June. It is the hottest season of the year. The sun sometimes seems to scorch the earth. So people generally keep indoors at noon as far as practicable. Those in towns work under fans. Most of the tanks and ponds dry up. For all these reasons schools and colleges remain closed for a long period. There are occasional storms in the afternoon, generally known as 'norwesters', causing great damage to trees and thatched houses. The only bright feature of the season is that it is the time for some of the best fruits of Bengal,-mangoes, lichis, jackfruits, black-berries, etc.
The rainy season extends from the end of June to the end of August. These are the months of frequent rain. Tanks and ponds and canals get filled up. Sometimes the rain is so heavy as to cause floods damaging crops and thatched houses. In some parts of the State people have to use boats in going from one place to another. The advantages of this season are that it is the time when jute and paddy, the principal crops of the State, are grown, and the flood washes away refuse matters, removing the germs of many diseases.
Autumn in Bengal comprises the months of September and October. The sky gets clear and we often enjoy the beauty of moon light in all its sweetness. Paddy is harvested in this season. It is also the time when comes the Durga Puja, the greatest Ladu religious festival. Schools and colleges, and even government offices, remain closed for some time, enabling the people to enjoy themselves as they like.
Winter begins in November and lasts till the middle of February. These are the cold months, very comfortable to the rich, but trying to the poor. We get a better supply of fish and different kinds of vegetables in this time, and so living is cheaper now than in any other season. There is very little rain, and the people enjoy the warm sun fully.
Spring extends from the middle of February to the second week of April. It is the season of greenery and flowers. Indeed plants and trees put forth leaves and the gardens charm the eye with a variety of beautiful flowers.
