~ Hindu Festivals ~

[MysteRy]

Basant Panchami Significance

Basant Panchami is a popular Hindu festival dedicated to goddess Saraswati, who is the deity of knowledge, art and music. This day falls on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magh, which is also the first day of spring. Goddess Saraswati denotes serenity and calmness. She is generally shown seated on a white lotus, wearing a pure white silk sari and holding a book in her lower left hand. The eyes of the goddess are full of compassion. Her four hands denote four facets of human personality namely mind, intellect, alertness and ego. The lotus on her hand symbolizes true knowledge. Her ride is a white swan which is known for its peculiar capability of separating water from the milk. The swan indicates that we should have the ability to discriminate the bad from the good.

Basant Panchami, also known as the Saraswati Day, is celebrated by the Hindus across the world with great enthusiasm and festivities. The devotees visit temples which are filled with various types of religious activities. Yellow color is given prominence on this day and people dress up in yellow garments and perform rituals. Yellow represents spiritual knowledge, increasing the significance of the festival. People eat yellow sweets and distribute the same among friends and relatives. People feed Brahmans on this occasion and also perform Pitra-Tarpan, the traditional ancestral worship. Basant Panchami is the day when children are taught their first words, making it an auspicious occasion which marks the beginning of their learning process. On this day, schools and colleges organize special worships for goddess Saraswati. Traditionally children place their books on the altar, at the goddess's feet. No one is allowed to touch the books during this period as they believe that goddess Saraswati is blessing the books.

Devotees believe that worshipping of goddess Saraswati will lead to spiritual enlightenment. It is generally said that there is no comparison between a king and a learned person as the king is honored only in his land but a learned person is respected everywhere. Saintly and learned people who are inclined towards spirituality know the importance of worshipping goddess Saraswati. Other activities performed on this day include worshipping of Kamadeva, the God of Love. On this occasion, people offers prayers to the Sun God and the deities associated with Ganges. The festivities of Basant Panchami include kite flying and a kite festival is observed in Ferozepur, Punjab. Basant Panchami marks the arrival of spring and can be noted from the colored blooms in trees and crops. This is the period when mango flowers start blossoming on trees, representing the beginning of a new life. Basant Panchami spiritually signifies that the days of ignorance and gloom are over and the period of joy and spiritual awakening has begun.

[MysteRy]

Bihu History

Bihu is the most important festival of Assam. Though its inclination is more on the agricultural side than the religious, it nonetheless is celebrated with much joy and abundance by all the tribes and other people, regardless of what their faith or beliefs may be. Historically, it is believed that the festival of Bihu originated in the pre-Aryan days around the 3500 century BC. From then onwards to the following many centuries until the recent, celebrations used to last for a month or more, which now have been reduced to a week. Even the word "Bihu" is said to have been derived from the language of Dimasa Kacharis, an agrarian tribe that has existed from many a centuries. Since long, Bihu has been a festival to rejoice, offer thanks, and pray for a bountiful harvest.

Also, the folk songs known as Bihu geets or Bihu songs have been associated with the first and most popular of Bihus, Rongali Bihu, for long. Though the languages of these songs have changed from generation to generation, they have always been an integral part of Rongali Bihu celebrations. These songs are composed in couplets that rhyme and each couplet depicts a different emotion altogether. Farmers, from long, believed that the erotic nature of these songs would sexually arouse the earth's body, leading to an abundant harvest. For this very reason and for celebrations of course, many of such songs are still sung by the tribal farmers. The Bihu songs also had an influence on Assamese literature, and legend has it that Madhav Deva (early 15th century), whose outstanding contributions include Assamese rendering of the Adi Kanda of Valmiki's Ramayana; and Sankar Deva (early 15th century), the great hymn composer could not escape from the influence of Bihu geets.

Today, though the form of celebrations and rites involving Bihu folk music vary among the different demographic groups of Assam, it is very much a part of the whole of Bihu jubilations. Even the no holds barred dances, also the most intriguing part of Bihu celebrations, symbolize the fertility rites of the original inhabitants of the people of northeast India. A few traditions like lighting the Akaxbonti lamps at the tip of the bamboo pole to show the way to the souls of the dead to heaven and recitations of Rowa Khowa chants to fend off pests and evil eyes from the paddy fields have also been followed for many years. The former one in particular, is a type of practice that has long been existent in many other communities of India as well. Historically rich and traditionally important, the festival of Bihu continues to be celebrated in Assam with as much pomp as it was celebrated in the earlier times.

[MysteRy]

Bihu Significance

The festival of Bihu, celebrated three times in a year, is the most important festival for the people of Assam. Each of these Bihus represents a different and unique phase, not only of the harvest cycle in Assam but also a unique facet that is particular only to that very festival. The celebrations begin with Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu, which is equivalent to the New Year celebrated in many states in the month of March or April according to the Hindi calendar. Rongali Bihu, which generally falls in the middle of the month of April, is the most popular of all the Bihus and signifies the beginning of not only the New Year but also of a new harvest cycle. The traditional food called Pitha Larus (made of Coconut and Rice) and Jolpan, cleaning up and wearing new set of clothes, and worshipping the cows and idols of Gods for blessings and prosperity in the year ahead is all a part of Rongali Bihu.

It's the Kongali Bihu, also known as Kati Bihu, which follows next and it generally falls in the middle of the month of October. At this time of the year, the paddy crops are in the growing stage and the granaries of the farmers are almost exhausted. The atmosphere of festivity that prevails on this day is relaxed and laidback, and there is comparatively less merriment and a sense of solemnity and constraint prevails. Also, as a ritual, people light up earthen lamps and set them at the foot of the tulsi plants that are planted almost in all of the houses. Farmers also whirl up bamboo sticks in the middle of the paddy fields, chanting Rowa Khowa to ward off pests and the evil eye from the fields. Then in the evening, Pitha is fed to the cattle. Another practice that takes place on this day is the lighting of Akaxbonti lamps at the tip a bamboo pole, which is believed to provide a way to the souls of the dead to find their way to the heaven.

Finally, the harvesting season comes to an end in the month of January, as in the mid of it Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu is celebrated to mark the end of it. Its significance is same as that of festivals like Makar Sakranti or Pongal. Magh Bihu is important especially for the people belonging to the agrarian community. On the eve of the day, people set up the Meji and temporary hut-like structures made up of hay. These hut-like structures are called Bhelaghars and it is around them that various communities spend the night feasting, exchanging gifts and greetings, and singing Bihu songs and playing dhols. In the morning, after taking a bath, people burn these huts while praying to the God of fire to mark the end of the harvest cycle. The burnt firewood is then brought back and thrown among the fruit trees for favorable results.

[MysteRy]

Types of Bihu

Assam is one of the most beautiful states in India in all apparent ways including the cultural and scenic beauty. Bihu is a festival of fun and frolic since it marks the Assamese New Year as well as the cycle of the paddy crop. The name of the festival Bihu is derived from the Sanskrit word Vishnu which is the name of a major Indian God. The festivities include dressing up in traditional costumes, preparing traditional eatables and dishes associated with Bihu festival and dancing on to foot tapping Bihu folk songs. Bihu is celebrated thrice every year, each time to denote a different stage of cultivation of the rice crop.

Rongali Bihu
The first type of Bihu, which is Rongali Bihu, is the major and the most popular Bihu celebrated in Assam. Celebrated in mid of April, this Bihu marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year, which is the first day of the year according to the traditional Hindu calendar. It is also celebrated in Bengal, Manipur, Nepal, Orissa, Punjab, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, etc. though with different names.

Kongali Bihu
Celebrated in middle of October this Bihu is not celebrated with frivolous gaiety, instead it is celebrated with great somberness. The reason behind this is that the paddy crop is only growing at this time of the year and the granaries of the peasants are empty. The festival is supposed to be of the poor. Prayers are said and customary rites are followed during this Bihu in the evening.

Bhogali Bihu
This Bihu falls in the middle of January and is commonly known as Magh Bihu. The festival is celebrated to mark the paddy harvesting season and that is why the festival is called Bhogali Bihu, derived from the word "Bhog" which means feasting. Bihu songs are sung and dancers sway to the rhythms of these songs. The festivities take place till late at night and the youth of Assam make merry.

[MysteRy]

Rongali Bihu

Among the many festivals that are celebrated in Assam, none hold as much importance as the Bihu festivals. And among all the three Bihu festivals, namely Rongali Bihu, Kongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu that are celebrated in the months of April, October, and January respectively, it is Rongali Bihu that is the most popular one. Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu, is associated with the coming of the Assamese New Year according to the Hindu calendar and the beginning of the agricultural season when the fields are ploughed and new crops are sown. It also marks the beginning of the spring season when variety of colorful flowers begin to blossom, the chirping of melodious birds can be heard all around, and a gentle breeze blows through the environment making every living being feel fresh and new. What better season and a day to honor and start with newfound vigor? It's just picture perfect!

Beginning with bathing the cattle with a paste made of freshly harvested turmeric and black gram and feeding them with vegetables such as aubergine and laogourd, the rejoicing moves on to a revelling state and carries on for a good few days. People clean themselves up and appear in new clothes to partake in the ceremonial and other celebrations, starting with people paying respect to the elders by gifting them with hand woven towels and kerchiefs and seek their blessings for the next year. Bihu dances are also performed by young men and women, in streets as well as fields, to Bihu folk music (Bihu Geets) while traditional musical instruments like dhols, gagana, toka and pepas (flute made out of buffalo horn) lend the music a grandeur sense of rhythm. Along with the obvious mouth watering feasts, sweets and greetings are also exchanged among the neighbors, relatives and friends. Explore rest of the section to know more about Rongali Bihu.

Days of Rongali Bihu
Bihu is a festival which binds Assam, irrespective of the caste, creed and color of the people. The three types of Bihu, namely Rongali Bihu, Kongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu, celebrates the different stages of life cycle of the paddy crop. Rongali Bihu celebrates the beginning of the Assamese New Year according to Hindu calendar and the sowing

Rongali Bihu Activities
Assam is a state renowned for its beauty and culture and this is evident from the traditional festivals which are observed here. Rongali Bihu is perhaps the most common type of Bihu which is celebrated in the state and it is the most popular too. This Bihu is celebrated to welcome the Assamese New Year and the festivities generally continue for

Rongali Bihu Date
Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu, is the most important of all the three Bihu festivals of Assam and marks the onset of the Assamese New Year, the spring season, and the new harvest season for the agrarian community. It falls in the mid of the month of April, generally around 15th April and is celebrated with much joy and enthusiasm. It is equivalent to the festivals like Ugadi, Gudi Padwa,

Rongali Bihu Significance
Rongali Bihu's significance to the people of Assam is same as that of Ugadi for the people of Karnataka or Andhra Pradesh or of Gudi Padwa for the people of Maharashtra or by many different names for different states, minus the religious aspect. Bihus, three in total, are the most important of festivals celebrated in Assam and Rongali Bihu is the most popular of them. Its significance

[MysteRy]

Days of Rongali Bihu

Bihu is a festival which binds Assam, irrespective of the caste, creed and color of the people. The three types of Bihu, namely Rongali Bihu, Kongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu, celebrates the different stages of life cycle of the paddy crop. Rongali Bihu celebrates the beginning of the Assamese New Year according to Hindu calendar and the sowing season of the rice crop. The next Bihu is Kongali Bihu which means the Bihu of the poor, as during this season the granaries of the peasants are empty. Bhogali Bihu comes during the harvest season when the paddy fields are about to be harvested. The major among these is the Rongali Bihu, which is celebrated during the mid of April and marks the beginning of spring season. We have listed below the days of Rongali Bihu and how they are celebrated.

Rongali Bihu Days

Goru Bihu
Goru Bihu is the first day of Rongali Bihu celebration but the last day according to Hindu lunisolar calendar. Goru means cow in Assamese and the day is dedicated to the cattle itself. Early in the morning on this day the cows are washed and applied a paste made up of fresh turmeric and other preparations, and Assamese songs are chanted speaking of the livestock to become big, healthy and productive. The old ropes tied to the necks of the cattle are done away with and fresh ropes are tied. Then these cattle are set free to roam anywhere according to their will.

Manuh Bihu
The second day is for humans and it is the first day of the year according to the Hindu calendar. Everyone takes a bath early in the morning and visit their elders to seek blessings from them. The elders are gifted with bihuwan, hachoti and cheleng; according to the Assamese culture, these items are the best way to express your gratitude. Children too are pampered well on this day and are gifted with new clothes. People also visit their relatives and friends.

Husori
Husori denotes the third day of Bihu when the elders of the village, only males, form a band and move from one household to another. They sing traditional folk songs in chorus and are welcomed to the courtyard by the hosts, after which they sings songs blessing the household and also perform traditional ring dance. The elders are thanked with a dakshina of betel nut and areka nut served on a brass dish.

Fat Bihu
This is perhaps the oldest form of Bihu which have survived the test of time and is still celebrated in its traditional form by the people who live in the Lakhimpur area of Assam. The legend has that this form of Bihu was first performed in front of the Ahom king, Sukaphaa, somewhere in the thirteenth century.

Beshma
This is the Bihu which is celebrated largely by the Koch tribe. There are a number of activities in which the bhurbhura and the shak tribes participate, propose feasts and make merry.

Mukoli Bihu
Mukoli Bihu is the celebration of womanhood where youngsters of the village adorn themselves in traditional dresses and go to empty fields and perform Bihu dance and sing Bihu songs. The theme of the songs is romance and sexual love.

Jeng Bihu
Jeng means a compartmentalized place made by digging bamboo into the soil. This used to be done so that the males of the society could not see the women perform the Bihu dance, as is not supposed to be danced or witnessed by men.

Baisago
This Bihu is celebrated by the Bodo-Kachari tribe who also celebrate Bihu but in a little different manner; though their Bihu songs follow the same theme.

Bihutoli Bihu
This is the modernized form of Bihu. Bihu is more of a folk dance which is performed by the tribes of Assam to celebrate the change of seasons, especially the start of a year. But this is a public display of Bihu performance where a stage is set and Bihu is performed on it. The elevated stage that is set for the performance itself is called Bihutoli.

Haat Bihu
Haat Bihu is another name for Rongali Bihu, which literally means seven Bihus. Rongali Bihu is of different types, namely, Chot Bihu, Raati Bihu, Manuh Bihu, Kutum Bihu, Mela Bihu and Chera Bihu.

[MysteRy]

Rongali Bihu Activities

Assam is a state renowned for its beauty and culture and this is evident from the traditional festivals which are observed here. Rongali Bihu is perhaps the most common type of Bihu which is celebrated in the state and it is the most popular too. This Bihu is celebrated to welcome the Assamese New Year and the festivities generally continue for seven days, each day celebrating the different colors of the festival. People of Assam dress themselves in traditional dresses for these seven days and perform a number of activities, each activity having a different meaning. People sing traditional songs, dance to folk beats and make merry; the environment is that of a carnival. Feasts are conducted, sweets are distributed, and even the cattle are worshipped to mark the sowing season. There are a number of activities which are followed during Bihu by the citizens of Assam.

Rongali Bihu Rituals & Customs
As the festival is conducted for seven days, different activities are conducted each day. People of all demographics participate in the festival indiscriminate of any of the social divides. On the first day, cattle are worshipped and this marks the last day of the year. The livestock are washed well before applying them with raw turmeric. The cattle are adorned with twigs of dighalati and makhiyati and songs are sung while worshipping the cattle, so that they live a healthy fruitful life. While worshipping the cattle, the people chant in their native language - "lao kha, bengena kha, bosore bosore barhi ja maar xoru, baper xoru, toi hobi bor bor goru". These chants too sing of health and fertility of the cows. The ropes of the cattle are discarded and new ropes are tied to their neck. The cattle are set free on this day and are allowed to roam according to their will.

On the third day, the village elders move from one house to another singing traditional songs called husoris. They are treated with respect and are given a dakshina of betel nut and areka nut in a brass dish, after which the band wishes the household and moves on. On the fifth day of the festival, traditional functions are arranged and the youth of the village adorn themselves in traditional attires and dance Bihu in open fields, singing of romance and sexual endeavors. The dance celebrates female sexuality. The next day is designated solely for women folk; the Bihu dance is performed and seen only by women. There are a number of activities which makes this festival so special and a grand colorful event.

[MysteRy]

Rongali Bihu Date

Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu, is the most important of all the three Bihu festivals of Assam and marks the onset of the Assamese New Year, the spring season, and the new harvest season for the agrarian community. It falls in the mid of the month of April, generally around 15th April and is celebrated with much joy and enthusiasm. It is equivalent to the festivals like Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, etc. that are celebrated all around India and marks the first day of the Hindu New Year. With a combination of standard customs and some unique tribe based traditions, the streets and communities of Assam pop out with the crowd immersed in festivities. Moreover, Rongali Bihu is celebrated over a period of few days than just one and there's never too much of the celebrations and the festive spirit.

When is Rongali Bihu
The first day is called Goru Bihu, on which cows are washed and smeared with ground turmeric and are worshipped. It usually falls on the 14th of April. On the next day, known as Manuh Bihu, respect is shown to the elders with gifts such as bihuwan (gamosa - a traditional Assamese hand woven cotton towel), a hachoti (kerchief), and cheleng etc. On the next day known as Husori, the village elders move from one household to another, singing Bihu geets and performing ring dances, at the end of which they bless the household for the coming year and move on to the next house. At the end of each performance, people are thanked with an offering of paan (betel leaf) and tamul (areka nut) in a xorai (brass dish with stand).

Fat Bihu is then celebrated on the next day and is probably the oldest form of Bihu. It is more popular in the Lakhimpur area of Assam and is celebrated with much spontaneity. On the fourth day comes Beshma Bihu, which is celebrated by the Kochas with merrymaking and feasting. The fifth day is Mukoli Bihu, whereby young unmarried men and women attire in traditional golden silk Muga and perform the Bihu dances to Bihu songs in the open fields. Themes of romance and sexual love, requited or unrequited, run through these Bihu songs and young women, through sensuous movements of hips, arms, etc call out and celebrate their fertility. It's for this reason that the dance is also called a mating ritual for the young men and women. Jeng Bihu, Baisago, and Bihutoli Bihu follow next. Also during the celebration period, community feasting on many dishes and sweets, traditional ones being Pitha Larus and Jolpan also continue with great fanfare. In 2012, Rongali Bihu falls on 14th of April.

Rongali Bihu in 2012

Start Date: 14 April

End Date: 16 April

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Rongali Bihu Significance

Rongali Bihu's significance to the people of Assam is same as that of Ugadi for the people of Karnataka or Andhra Pradesh or of Gudi Padwa for the people of Maharashtra or by many different names for different states, minus the religious aspect. Bihus, three in total, are the most important of festivals celebrated in Assam and Rongali Bihu is the most popular of them. Its significance is threefold: one, it marks the onset of a new harvest cycle; two, it marks the first day of the New Year according to the Hindu calendar; and three, it marks the beginning of spring season, which is considered an ideal time to leave the past behind and start afresh with new mindset. With all this in place, however, its significance remains more on the agricultural side. Great enthusiasm runs among the people and is expressed in the form of dances, songs, and other festivities.

Importance of Rongali Bihu
Known as Bohag Bihu too, it is celebrated over a period of several days in the month of April, generally around the 15th, also the first month according to the Assamese calendar. The first day is dedicated to the cattle and livestock. Cows and bulls are given a ritual bath in the nearby ponds or river banks with a paste of freshly harvested turmeric and black gram. Also the old cattle ropes are cast away through the legs and new ropes are tied to them and on this day, they are freed and are allowed to roam anywhere for the whole of the day. It's like a thanksgiving ritual to the cattle for providing the people with dairy products. A ritual song is also sung while giving them a bath that asks them to be healthy and productive. From the next day, celebrations begin that go for a several days.

During these days, Assam can be seen engulfed in the celebrations with hundreds of young men and women perform Bihu dances on Bihu folk music (Bihu Geets) and sing to the tune of drums, gagana, toka, pepas (flute made of buffalo horns). But before it starts, people get cleaned up, wear new clothes, and infuse themselves with new found energy to go in the New Year. On this day, people also pay respect to their elders by presenting them with Gamosas, which are traditional Assamese hand woven cotton towels with red designs. Also, community feats are organized, sweets and greetings are exchanged with neighbors, relatives, and friends; and traditional dishes like Pitha Larus (made f rice and coconut) and Jolpan are prepared. For each day of the celebrations, different events are organized. The colorful zeitgeist, with which the whole festival is celebrated and concluded, makes it one of the most endearing festivals to be a part of.

[MysteRy]

Kongali Bihu

Bihu is one of the main festivals celebrated by the people living in Assam and they do it with pomp and show. The word Bihu is derived from the word Vishu which is a distorted version of the name of Lord Vishnu. Bihu is celebrated thrice a year, each time to mark a different stage in the life cycle of the paddy crop. Based on the time of the year these are celebrated, they have different themes behind the celebrations. The three Bihus which are celebrated in this state are Bhogali Bihu, Kongali Bihu and Rongali Bihu. While Rongali Bihu celebrates the sowing of the paddy seeds, Kongali Bihu celebrates relocation of the paddy saplings and Bhogali Bihu is celebrated during the harvest season. Kongali Bihu or the Kati Bihu is rather less of a celebration than other Bihus.

Kongali Bihu is celebrated during the Kati month of the Assamese calendar, which basically signifies the season in the life of the paddy crop when small saplings grow out of the water logged fields. At this time of the year the granaries are empty and the peasants are rather poor, perhaps that's the reason behind this Bihu being called Kongali Bihu - Bihu of poverty. During this Bihu, the cultivators work day and night to get a good yield of crop and on its eve a Saaki is prepared, which is a lamp. The reason the lamp is lit is because it attracts the pests from the crop towards it and they are burnt because of its flames. At the paddy field too a special kind of lamp is lit which is called Akaxbonti and peasants pray to their gods for a good yield of crops.

Kongali Bihu Activities
Kongali Bihu or Kati Bihu falls right in the middle, when sowing of crops and fertilization process has been taken care of and the harvest season is yet to announce itself. On one hand, Rongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu are celebrated to mark the arrival and end of the harvest season respectively. Kongali Bihu on the other hand

Kongali Bihu Date
Bihu is the biggest festival celebrated in the state of Assam and easily one of the most colorful festivals of India which is celebrated with great fervor and zeal. This festival depends upon the crop cycle of paddy in Assam. Bihu is divided into three broad types depending on the time of the year during which it is celebrated and these three types

Kongali Bihu Significance
Bihus, the major festivals of Assam, are celebrated with great jest and zeal and the spirit of the people is at an all time high with the whole state coming together to make merry. It is a unique festival because it surpasses the barriers of caste, religion and class and people from all strata of life gather together to celebrate this colorful event. There are three types of Bihu which take place in Assam, namely, Bhogali Bihu.

[MysteRy]

Kongali Bihu Activities

Kongali Bihu or Kati Bihu falls right in the middle, when sowing of crops and fertilization process has been taken care of and the harvest season is yet to announce itself. On one hand, Rongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu are celebrated to mark the arrival and end of the harvest season respectively. Kongali Bihu on the other hand comes at a time when the granaries of the farmers are empty and there's nothing much to do but tend to the growing crops. It's derived from the word "Kongal", meaning Poor, for there is not much to eat around this time of the year. For this reason, Kongali Bihu, celebrated in the month of October, has an altogether different essence to it when compared to the other two Bihus. Though with much less fanfare and merrymaking, the dedication of people towards this festival manifests itself with a quiet but a flaming spirit with which it is celebrated. The reverence, in no way is less, even if the splendor of festivities is not there to seal the day. The significance of this Bihu, however, is more in the villages than in towns.

Kongali Bihu Rituals & Customs
On the day of Kongali Bihu, none other than Goddess Laxmi, who's considered the distributor of wealth to the mortal souls, is worshipped and welcomed into homes. Then in the evening, earthen lamps called sakis are lit at the foot of the Tulsi (basil) plant, which is considered sacred and auspicious according to Hindu religion and culture. Offerings are made to it in every household; moving on to lighting more earthen lamps in the granaries, gardens and the paddy fields; prayers are offered for an opulent crop. These lamps, along with whirling of bamboo sticks while reciting Rowa Khowa chants, is believed to keep the pests and evil eyes off the crops and promote a bountiful harvest. Also during the evening, the cattle are specifically fed with rice cakes known as Pitha, and another practice of lighting the Akaxbonti lamps (sky lamps) at the tip of the bamboo pole takes place. This ritualistic activity is believed to show the way to the souls of the dead to the heavens. After the ceremonial activity of lighting these lamps, people visit each other's houses and exchange greetings and sweets.

[MysteRy]

Kongali Bihu Date

Bihu is the biggest festival celebrated in the state of Assam and easily one of the most colorful festivals of India which is celebrated with great fervor and zeal. This festival depends upon the crop cycle of paddy in Assam. Bihu is divided into three broad types depending on the time of the year during which it is celebrated and these three types of Bihus have its own significance. The first Bihu - Rongali Bihu, observed during the month of April, marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year and the sowing season of the paddy crop. The second Bihu - Kongali Bihu, celebrated during October, is less of a celebratory Bihu and more of worshipping is done during this festival. The last type of Bihu is the Bhogali Bihu which is celebrated as the harvest festival of the state and is falls during the month of January.

A number of activities take place during all the Bihus, the Bihu dance being the prime activity of the festival. However, during Kongali Bihu, there are minimal activities and Bihu dance is not performed during this festival; rather worships and other such rites take place. People refrain themselves from pleasures, as during this Bihu the granaries are empty and the atmosphere is of abstinence and self control. This makes the festival a wholesome festival as it not only celebrates the high points in life but also has in its core the respect for those days when life isn't that easy. Another activity which takes place during Kongali Bihu is the lighting of Akaxbonti which literally means sky lamps. Lighting these sky lamps is a symbolic ritual of showing the path to heaven to the ancestors who come to earth to bless their descendants during this thin time. These lamps are lighted on high bamboo sticks and are lined in a symmetrical row giving it a look of a path of light.

The Kongali Bihu is related to penance and during this Bihu the Assamese peasants pray to the ancestors and gods to keep away the evil spirits and bless them with a healthy yield.

Kongali Bihu 2012: Mid October

[MysteRy]

Kongali Bihu Significance

Bihus, the major festivals of Assam, are celebrated with great jest and zeal and the spirit of the people is at an all time high with the whole state coming together to make merry. It is a unique festival because it surpasses the barriers of caste, religion and class and people from all strata of life gather together to celebrate this colorful event. There are three types of Bihu which take place in Assam, namely, Bhogali Bihu, Rongali Bihu and Kongali Bihu. All the three Bihus are celebrated at different phases of the life cycle of paddy crop. The first Bihu, which is the Rongali Bihu, is celebrated during the month of April and denotes the sowing season of the rice crop. The second one, which is Kongali Bihu, also known as Kati Bahu, signifies the season of relocation of the rice saplings. During this festival, the granaries of the farmers are empty, and so the name 'Kongali', which means poverty. The last one, which is Bhogali Bihu, is celebrated during the month of January and it marks the harvesting season of the paddy crops.

Importance of Kati Bihu
Each Bihu is significant in its own unique manner. The first Bihu, the Rongali Bihu, signifies the beginning of the New Year along with the arrival of spring season. The Second Bihu, which is the Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu, signifies the relocation of the rice crop, which is an important phase in the life of the paddy crop. Hence, the farmers light lamps at the foot of the Tulsi plant at their home and whirl a piece of bamboo in the fields and recite rowa-khowa chants to ward off the evil spirits and the pests. This day is also considered auspicious because it is believed that the spirits of the ancestors visit to give blessings, and so the Assamese peasants light lamps called Akaxbonti on top of bamboo sticks to show these spirits the path to heaven.

Though now a day this festival is celebrated in quite a different fashion than the earlier times, its core values remain intact. Like the Bihu dance is performed at all the Bihu festivals, even though Kati Bihu is more about penance and worship. Still this festival is celebrated with lot of vigor and enthusiasm.

[MysteRy]

Bhogali Bihu

It's only fair that the thing which began with a grand opening ends too, with an equally stunning closing ceremony. It's much deserved to say the least! The people of Assam: farmers in particular, sweat year long to come up with a production of plentiful crops that's distributed nationwide, and earn them their living. The festival of Bhogali Bihu, the last of all the three Bihus, is celebrated for the very same purpose: after the yearlong hard work, it marks the end of the harvesting period and leaves the farmers with granaries filled to content. This time, and the coming few months, people look forward to a period of without want, and on this day, they start off with several days of feasting, fun, and frolic. Celebrated in the month of January, the theme of Bhogali Bihu is similar to the festivals of Makar Sakranti and Pongal.

While the preparations for the arrival of the festival begins a good few days before, the ladies of the households gets busy in getting ready an array of feats to munch on the actual day and around. Then on the eve of Bhogali Bihu, known as Uruka, young men go into the harvested fields and set up structures called Mejis, made of thatch and firewood. The entire night is spent around these Mejis and one big community feast known as Bhog takes place. Music, singing, and dancing to the tunes of Bihu geets and other entertaining games also take place around Mejis. Then at the break of dawn, after taking a bath, the Mejis are set ablaze and the Agni Devta (Hindu God of Fire) is worshipped. The festivities continue through the day with people exchanging greetings and sweets and being the witnesses to pulse racing sports of animals and birds fighting. Explore rest of the sections to learn more about various aspects related to Bhogali Bihu.

Bhogali Bihu Activities
Bihus are the most important festivals for the people of Assam; three Bihus are celebrated in a year, with each of it representing a different phase of farming. Rongali Bihu, first of the Bihus, represents the beginning of the harvest season and also the first day of the New Year according to the Hindu calendar, and is celebrated with

Bhogali Bihu Date
Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu is a traditional festival of the people of Assam and it is celebrated with much fervor and vigor. It's the last of the three Bihu festivals and is celebrated in the mid of January month: a time when winters start to diminish and give way to the upcoming spring season.

Bhogali Bihu Significance
Bhogali Bihu, also known as Magh Bihu, is the last of the three Bihu festivals that are celebrated in the state of Assam. Celebrated to mark the end of the harvest season, the significance of Bhogali Bihu to the people of Assam is same as that of the festivals of Makar Sakranti and Pongal.

[MysteRy]

Bhogali Bihu Activities

Bihus are the most important festivals for the people of Assam; three Bihus are celebrated in a year, with each of it representing a different phase of farming. Rongali Bihu, first of the Bihus, represents the beginning of the harvest season and also the first day of the New Year according to the Hindu calendar, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and splendor. Kongali Bihu, second of the Bihus, represents a season when the sowing and fertilization process of the crops is over. Though it is celebrated with much less festivities, the respectful integrity of it is maintained throughout. Celebrations, once again end on a high note with Bhogali Bihu, the last of the Bihus, marking the end of the harvest season and providing the rewards to the farmers for their laborious efforts throughout the year. In its premise, Bhogali Bihu is equivalent to Makar Sakranti and Pongal and is derived from the word "Bhog", which means eating.

Bhogali Bihu Rituals & Customs
A lot of both, ritualistic and fun activities take place on and around Bhogali Bihu, starting with the eve of the day called Uruka. At this time, the young men from the villages and communities move into the freshly harvested fields and set up Mejis, which are structures made up of thatch, firewood, and hay. Around these structures, temporary huts known as Bhelaghars are also prepared, in which the families stay and guard the Mejis through the night. Owing to the filled up granaries, people partake in a lot of feasting, which goes on for a few days. A grand community feasts comprising of Pitha (cake made of flour of rice), doi (curds), chira (dry rice), fish, meat, etc takes place on the eve of the day, which is accompanied by fun and games, singing and dancing to Bihu folk songs i.e. Bihu geets on the beats of dhols and other traditional musical instruments. Then at the break of dawn, people take a bath and then head back to the Mejis and light them on fire as a ritual.

The Hindu God of Fire i.e. Agni Devta is worshipped by throwing coconut and betel nuts into the fire. Thanking for the season that has gone and blessings for the season that is about to come are sought from the God, after which, the half burnt firewood is gathered by the people and thrown among the fruit bearing trees to seek a bountiful harvest. The celebrations don't just end here; they go on throughout the day with people visiting their neighbors, relatives, and friends and exchanging greetings and sweets. After this, people bear witness and also partake in different types of sports like buffalo fighting, cockfighting, and egg fighting, etc. The birds for the sport, captured ahead of time, are fed with nutritious foods and are trained for the fight. The winner gets Rs. 2001 and a trophy as a reward. All the birds are freed after the fight and the jubilations continue to go on for some more period.