Rongali Bihu

Current Context: Rongali Bihu (also called Bohag Bihu) is a major festival of Assam, celebrated in mid-April. It marks the Assamese New Year and the onset of the agricultural season.

About

• Rooted in agrarian traditions, it celebrates the arrival of spring and the start of the harvest.
• Celebrated over 7 days, collectively called ‘Xaat Bihu’.

Each day has a distinct focus:

• Goru Bihu (cattle worship):Cattle are bathed and honored on Goru Bihu for their role in agriculture.
• Manuh Bihu (human celebration):Manuh Bihu involves feasting and wearing new clothes.
• Gosain Bihu (deity worship):Gosain Bihu includes prayers and offerings to household deities.
• Cuisine:Traditional dishes like ‘Chira’ (flattened rice) and ‘Pitha’ (rice cakes) are central to the celebrations.