Bihu : Assamese Culture
Assam is a northeastern state of India and is home to one of the most vibrant and colorful festivals in the country - Bihu. Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated in three different forms throughout the year - Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu in April, Kongali Bihu or Kati Bihu in October, and Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu in January.
The most significant of the three Bihus is the Rongali Bihu, which is celebrated in mid-April when the crops are ready to be harvested. The festival marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor. It is a seven-day long festival that is celebrated with music, dance, food, and traditional games.
The first day of Rongali Bihu is known as Goru Bihu, where the cows and bulls are washed and decorated with garlands made of flowers and puffed rice. This day is celebrated to honor and thank the cattle for their contribution to the farming and agricultural process.
The second day of Rongali Bihu is called Manuh Bihu or Kutum Bihu, where families and friends gather to exchange greetings and traditional delicacies like pitha, laru, and other sweets made of rice and jaggery. On this day, people also wear new clothes and participate in traditional games like egg-fighting, buffalo-fighting, and kite-flying.
The third day of Rongali Bihu is called Gosain Bihu, where people offer prayers to the gods and seek blessings for a good harvest. On this day, people visit the nearest temple or offer prayers at home, seeking the blessings of the gods for prosperity and good luck.
The fourth day of Rongali Bihu is known as Senehi Bihu, where young girls visit the homes of their friends and relatives to exchange greetings and traditional sweets. This day is also celebrated as the day of love and romance and is similar to Valentine's Day in Western culture.
The fifth day of Rongali Bihu is called Mela Bihu, where people participate in traditional fairs and exhibitions to showcase their skills in crafts, agriculture, and other fields. This day is celebrated as a day of joy and festivity and is a highlight of the entire festival.
The sixth day of Rongali Bihu is called Chera Bihu or Bohagi Bidai, where people bid farewell to the festival with sadness and hope for a prosperous year ahead. On this day, people also pray for the well-being of their loved ones and seek blessings for a good harvest.
The seventh and final day of Rongali Bihu is called Bohag Bihu Tithi or Bisu Sankranti, which marks the end of the festival. On this day, people take a bath in the river and offer prayers to the sun god for a bountiful harvest.
In conclusion, Bihu is a vibrant and colorful festival that celebrates the harvest season and the Assamese New Year. It is a time for people to come together, share joy and happiness, and seek blessings for a good harvest and a prosperous year ahead.