Bihu is celebrated thrice in the course of a year in the north-eastern state of Assam. Bihu celebrations are associated with different aspects of the crops cycle. The first Bihu, known as Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu, is celebrated in the month of April, and it celebrates the beginning of the sowing period. The second Bihu is Kati Bihu, which marks the end of the sowing period and the transplantation of the paddy crop. Kati Bihu is observed in October or November. The third Bihu – known as Magh or Boghali Bihu marks the harvest season.
Each of the Bihu celebrations last for several days, and during this time, rural Assam is filled with color and the sounds of dance, music and merrymaking. Though it is a festival that has its roots in an agrarian society, Bihu is today celebrated with gusto even in the urban pockets of Assam.
Traditions
There are several rites and rituals associated with each of the Bihu festivals. Performances of the traditional Bihu dance and music are held throughout the state. One of the highlights of the Rongali Bihu is the ritual bath that is given to the cattle during the first day of the festival. On the second day of Rongali Bihu, family members present ‘Gamosa’ the traditional Assamese towel to each other. The end of Rongali Bihu is marked with a special farewell ceremony called ‘Bohagi Bidaai’.
Kati Bihu is a much more somber celebration marked by the lighting of earthen lamps in paddy fields.
The harvest festival or Magh Bihu is marked by community celebrations. Special thatched huts are built and guarded by the entire community. These are burnt the next morning after a session of prayer and worship. Community feasts, singing and dancing form a major part of the Magh festivities. Traditional dishes like Pitha and Laru are made and distributed among friends.
Tourist Essential
The Bihu celebrations offer tourists a chance to explore the north eastern state of Assam at her very best. The entire state has a festive air during these celebrations, and tourists can observe the various rituals associated with the festival.
