The most significant festivals of Assam are the Bihus, celebrated with fun and profusion by the whole Assamese community irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith and belief. Bihu is regarded as the national festival of Assam which is celebrated by the Assamese people around the World. Bihu is celebrated in three different times of the year and in three different ways.
Rongali Bihu or the Bohag bihu, the most popular Bihu celebrates the beginning of the Assamese New Year and the coming of spring. This inscripts the first day of the Hindu solar calendar which is also celebrated in Bengal, Manipur, Nepal, Orissa, Punjab, Kerala and Tamil Nadu though called by different names. It's a time of jollity and devours and continues for a week. It is a festival of joy and happiness. During this Bihu people exchange gifts and the elderly people are gifted Gamucha the traditional towel of Assam to show respect. People wear new clothes marking the beginning of the New Year. It is celebrated by singing folk songs associated with the Bohag Bihu called Bihu geets or Bihu songs and the folk dance called the Bihu dance. The type of celebration and rites vary among diverse demographic groups.
Kati Bihu or the Kangali Bihu is celebrated in the month of October. It has an altogether different flavor as there is no fun and merrymaking. The atmosphere has a sense of restrain and seriousness. The paddies in the fields are in the growing stage and the granaries of the farmers are almost empty during this time of the year. On this day, earthen lamps are lit at the foot of the household tulsi plant, the granary, the garden and the paddy fields in order to guard the growing paddy. The cultivators rotate a piece of bamboo and recite rowa-khowa chants and spells to fend off pests and the curse.
Bhogali Bihu or the Magh Bihu is celebrated in d middle of January. It is associated with the other harvesting festivals of India. In view of the fact that the granaries are full, there is plenty of feasting and eating during this time. On the eve of the day, called URUKA, people get together and feast. The women make pita, the traditional rice cake and ladoos. The young boys roam about at night and steals bamboos etc to make Mejis. The next morning people take bath and gather in the field early in morning to burn the meji and also put pithas and betel nuts and leaf in the fire. They offer prayers to the God of Fire marking the end of harvesting year. Various sports are organized like Bull-fighting, cock-fighting, egg- fighting, tug-of-war, running race etc. It is another festival marked with merrymaking and feasting.
Rongali Bihu or the Bohag bihu, the most popular Bihu celebrates the beginning of the Assamese New Year and the coming of spring. This inscripts the first day of the Hindu solar calendar which is also celebrated in Bengal, Manipur, Nepal, Orissa, Punjab, Kerala and Tamil Nadu though called by different names. It's a time of jollity and devours and continues for a week. It is a festival of joy and happiness. During this Bihu people exchange gifts and the elderly people are gifted Gamucha the traditional towel of Assam to show respect. People wear new clothes marking the beginning of the New Year. It is celebrated by singing folk songs associated with the Bohag Bihu called Bihu geets or Bihu songs and the folk dance called the Bihu dance. The type of celebration and rites vary among diverse demographic groups.
Kati Bihu or the Kangali Bihu is celebrated in the month of October. It has an altogether different flavor as there is no fun and merrymaking. The atmosphere has a sense of restrain and seriousness. The paddies in the fields are in the growing stage and the granaries of the farmers are almost empty during this time of the year. On this day, earthen lamps are lit at the foot of the household tulsi plant, the granary, the garden and the paddy fields in order to guard the growing paddy. The cultivators rotate a piece of bamboo and recite rowa-khowa chants and spells to fend off pests and the curse.
Bhogali Bihu or the Magh Bihu is celebrated in d middle of January. It is associated with the other harvesting festivals of India. In view of the fact that the granaries are full, there is plenty of feasting and eating during this time. On the eve of the day, called URUKA, people get together and feast. The women make pita, the traditional rice cake and ladoos. The young boys roam about at night and steals bamboos etc to make Mejis. The next morning people take bath and gather in the field early in morning to burn the meji and also put pithas and betel nuts and leaf in the fire. They offer prayers to the God of Fire marking the end of harvesting year. Various sports are organized like Bull-fighting, cock-fighting, egg- fighting, tug-of-war, running race etc. It is another festival marked with merrymaking and feasting.