Bihu

Bihu is a festival of Assam in India. There are three Bihus - Bhogali Bihu (celebrated in mid-January, also called Magh Bihu), Bohag Bihu (celebrated in mid-April, also called Rongali Bihu), and Kongali Bihu (celebrated in mid-October, also called Kati-Bihu).

Bhogali Bihu marks the end of harvesting season. Feasting and enjoyment activities are organized during 13th of January to 15 of January every year.

The day before Bihu is called Uruka, which is the last day of the month of Pausha according to Indian Calendar. Bihu is celebrated generally on 14th or January or 15th of January.

On the day of Uruka, menfolk, particularly young men go to the field, preferably near a river, build a makeshift cottage called Bhelaghar with the hay of the harvest fields and the Meji, the most important thing for the night. During the night, they prepare food and there is community feasting everywhere. The entire night (called Uruka) is spent around a Meji with people singing bihu songs accompanied with dance. The next morning they take a bath and burn the main Meji. People gather around the Meji and throw Pithas (rice cakes) and betel nuts to it while burning it at the same time. They offer their prayers to the God of Fire and mark the end of the harvesting year. Thereafter they come back home carrying pieces of half burnt firewood for being thrown among fruit trees for favourable results.

Bohag Bihu is celebrates on the onset of the Assamese New Year (around April 14–15) and the coming of Spring. It's a time of merriment and feasting and continues, in general, for seven days. The first day of this bihu is called goru bihu or cow bihu, where the cows are washed and worshipped, which falls on the last day of the previous year, usually on April 14. This is followed by manuh (human) bihu on April 15, the New Year Day, which is a day of merrymaking. The third day is Gosai (Gods) bihu when gods are worshiped and prayed for a smooth new year.

Bohag Bihu is also known as Xaat Bihu. The seven days are known as Chot Bihu, Goru Bihu, Manuh Bihu, Kutum Bihu, Senehi Bihu, Mela Bihu and Chera Bihu.

Kongali Bihu (mid-October, also called Kati-Bihu) is celebrated with less merriment and the atmosphere has a sense of constrain and solemnity. On this day, earthen lamps (saki) are lit at the foot of the household tulsi plant, the granary, the garden (bari) and the paddy fields. To protect the maturing paddy, cultivators whirl a piece of bamboo and recite rowa-khowa chants and spells to ward off pests and the evil eye. During the evening, cattle are fed specially made rice items called pitha. The Bodo people light lamps at the foot of the siju tree. This Bihu is also associated with the lighting of akaxi gonga or akaxbonti, lamps at the tip of a tall bamboo pole, to show the souls of the dead the way to heaven.

Nearby pages
Bihula, Bijouterie, Bijoy Kumar Sinha, Bikable, Bike lane, Bike path