assam-marks-new-year-spring-with-rongali-bihu-festivities

Assam has immersed itself in vibrant celebrations as Rongali Bihu, the state’s grandest and most cherished festival, marks the advent of spring and the Assamese New Year.

Also known as Bohag Bihu, the week-long festivities are replete with traditional rituals, music, dance, and communal spirit.

 

The festival, which signals the start of the agricultural season, began with Goru Bihu, a day dedicated to the worship of cattle.

Across the state, cows and bulls were ceremonially washed and smeared with a paste of fresh turmeric and black gram, accompanied by folk songs and chants praising the animals’ role in agrarian life.

 

In Guwahati and towns across Assam, markets brimmed with Bihu attire, gamosas, pepa, dhools, and japis—the iconic Assamese headgear. Homes were decorated, and the air resonated with the rhythm of Bihu geet and the beat of drums.

 

Local resident Vipul Sharma shared his experience and said, “Vaishakh Bihu is the biggest festival for us in Assam. It is celebrated for three to four days. On the first day, called Goru Bihu, we wash and worship the cows using turmeric and black gram paste. After that, everyone in the family takes a bath and applies turmeric. We also show respect to our elders and eat traditional food like pitha and curd. People visit relatives and enjoy the celebrations together.”

 

“At night, there are Bihu functions and fairs where everyone comes together to celebrate. My preparations are going well. My daughter lives in Canada, and it's just me and my wife at home. I also have relatives in Naugaon village, so I'll visit them too. This year, the market seems a bit quiet, but I think the excitement will pick up slowly. Everyone will celebrate in their own way." he added.

 

One of the unique features of the day includes the singing of verses to cattle, like, “Lao kha, bengena kha, bosore bosore barhi ja, maar xoru, baper xoru, toi hobi bor bor goru,” which translates to: “Eat gourd, eat brinjal, grow year by year, your mother is small, your father is small, but you will become a large, strong cow.”

 

The festival, divided into seven days collectively referred to as Xaat Bihu, fosters familial bonding and cultural pride, with public celebrations organised by community groups and Bihu committees. These feature dance performances, folk music competitions, and traditional feasts.

 

To support the celebrations, the Assam government has extended financial aid of ₹1.5 lakh each to 2,241 Bihu Committees across the state.