As the spring season blossoms and the earth awakens, the people of Assam eagerly await the arrival of the much-anticipated Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu. This vibrant harvest festival, which falls in the second week of April each year, marks the start of the new year and the bountiful harvesting season.
Rongali Bihu 2024: Dates and Significance
In 2024, Rongali Bihu will be celebrated from April 14 to April 20, bringing together families and communities across the state to partake in the joyous festivities. Bihu is a trio of festivals observed throughout the year, with Rongali Bihu being the first, followed by Kati Bihu (Kongaali Bihu) and Magh Bihu (Bhogali Bihu), each marking a distinct phase of the agricultural cycle.
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Rongali Bihu, celebrated in April, is particularly significant as it ushers in the new year and the planting season, setting the stage for a bountiful harvest to come. It is a time of renewal, optimism, and the celebration of the Assamese culture and traditions.
Rongali Bihu: Celebration and Traditions
Rongali Bihu festivities are steeped in vibrant customs and rituals. On the first day, people rise early and apply a mixture of turmeric and raw urad dal to their bodies before taking a bath, seeking blessings from their elders, and then gathering with friends, relatives, and neighbors to exchange well-wishes.
Throughout the celebrations, Assamese delicacies take center stage, with traditional delights like Til Laru, Pitha, Murir Laru, Ghila Pitha, and Poka Mithoi being savored. Different days of Rongali Bihu are dedicated to various aspects of life, including cattle, household deities, handlooms, and farming equipment, showcasing the deep-rooted connection between the community and their agrarian heritage.
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The festival is also marked by the joyous sounds of Bihu Geet, the traditional folk songs that fill the air, accompanied by lively dance performances. As families and communities come together, the exchange of gifts and the sharing of abundant meals further strengthen the bonds of unity and celebration.
Beyond Assam: Echoes of Harvest Festivities
While Rongali Bihu is predominantly celebrated in Assam, the spirit of the harvest festival resonates across the nation. Similar celebrations with distinct names and customs take place in other states, such as Punjab’s Vaisakhi, Tamil Nadu’s Puthandu, Odisha’s Pana Sankranti, Kerala’s Vishu, Manipur’s Cheiraoba, and West Bengal’s Poila Baisakh, all marking the start of the Hindu solar calendar and the joyous harvest season.
As Assam gears up to embrace the vibrant Rongali Bihu 2024, the state’s rich cultural heritage and the deep-rooted traditions of the harvest festival continue to captivate the hearts and minds of both locals and visitors alike.
