A FESTIVAL
BIHU
What it is: The Bihu is a great national festival of the Assamese people. Formerly the Durga puja was not performed in Assam. The Bihu was the only great festival and it was abserved with great pomp and gran-deur during the reign of Ahom Kings. Even now it takes place in every nook and corner of Assam. Three Bihus are celebrated in a year - the Bohag Bihu, the Kati Bihu and the Magh Bihu. The heart of the Assamese people leaps up with joy in the name of Bihu.
Bohag Bihu: The Bohag Bihu begins on the last day of the month of Chait and continues up to the sixth day of Bohag. On the first day, the people bathe early and the cow boys take the cows to the neighbouring river or pond for washing. The day is spent in prayer and worship. The old men and women read holy books and utter hymns in the Namghar. On the day the people do not take rice. They eat sweets, cakes, and other things. In the afternoon the children assemble in open fields, Some play game and others join in the Bihu songs and dances. In the evening the cows are brought home and tethered with new ropes. The second day is the new year's day. On that day everybody puts on new clothes. The women of Assam weave napkins in the month of Chait and they are presented to friends and relatives on the new year's day. Dear and near ones are invited for refreshment . Bihu songs and dance continue for seven days. Young men go from house to house singing huchari. In the spring seasons nature looks gay and cheerful and people observe the Bihu with great pleasure and festivity. The festival is an expression of the joy of people in welcome of the spring season. There is beauty all round. So, the Bohag Bihu is known also as Rangali Bihu.
Kati Bihu: The Kati Bihu falls on the last day of the month Ahin. In the evening of that day lights are put near Tulasi plant and high on the tops of bamboo poles. There is no feasting and merry - making in this Bihu. So, it is called Kangali Bihu.
Magh Bihu: The Magh Bihu begins on the last day of Puh and continues for seven days. After the harvest. people enjoy this Bihu with great festivity. Huts of straw and bamboo are erected here and there. Young men keep whole night awake singing and dancing. People bathe before sun rise, burn the Meji and worship the god of fire. The women of every house prepare various sorts of sweets and cakes. Feasting and merriments continue for seven days. Old men and women utter hymns. Friends and relatives are entertained. There is feasting and merry - making in every household. So, this Bihu is known as Bhogali Bihu. The people enjoy this Bihu the most.
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