Assam, known as the Gateway to the Northeast, is a state full of diversities. The Major festivals of Assam are mostly related to the culture of Assam and the change of Seasonal Changes of Nature.
The study of the cultural heritage and traditions of Assam is quite interesting for researchers.
Many colorful festivals are celebrated in Assam throughout the year. Each festival celebrated in Assam is unique and different in itself.
The heritage of festivals in Assam has a long backdrop as many tribes inhabit Assam. Each tribe has its own separate festivals and each celebration has the same spirit of unification.
Thousands of tourists from India and abroad visit Assam every year to see these festivals of Assam.
In today’s post, we will go through the list of festivals celebrated in Assam.
So, if you also want to gather information about the festivals of Assam, then you have come to the right place. Our list includes almost all the major festivals of Assam like Bihu, Majuli Celebration, and beach festival. Without any further delay, let’s explore the Assamese culture.
Bihu Celebration in Assam
If you have read a little about Assam, then you must know about the Bihu celebration.
It would not be appropriate to envision Assam without the Bihu festival because Bihu is the identity of Assam. Bihu is the most prominent festival of Assam,
Bihu Festival is celebrated in Assam 3 times a year. In other words, there are 3 types of Bihu in Assam.
- Bhogali Bihu (or Magh Bihu)
- Rongali Bihu (or Bohag Bihu)
- Kongali Bihu (or Kati Bihu)
Bhogali Bihu is celebrated first at the beginning of the year and at this time Makar Sankranti is celebrated all over the country.
On this day crops are worshiped and new crop food is prepared and offered to God.
According to the English Calendar, Bhogali or Magh Bihu usually being celebrated on the 14th of January.
During this time farmers in Assam collect their crops from the field. Every household in Assam prepares plenty of traditional Assamese sweets and desserts which they call Pitha, Laru, Jalpan, etc.
People prepare Bhela Ghar (a temporary house made of the dry plants of rice after eliminating the rice) to celebrate Magh Bihu. They burn the Bhela Ghar after the celebration is over.
Bihu is celebrated with great pomp in Assam, the main purpose of celebrating this festival is that the people of Assam thank God for giving them a good harvest. The people of Assam express their sympathy and gratitude to God.
Rongali Bihu
The second celebration of Bihu is called Rongali Bihu which is also known as Bohag Bihu.
This is the celebration for Assamese New Year and newness of nature with monsoon ahead.
Cultural programs are organized at various places during the Bihu celebration and the people of the entire state wear new clothes and dance in joy. On the day of the Bihu festival, fresh dishes and delicious sweets are made in people’s homes.
Kongali Bihu
The third-celebration of Bihu is called Kongali Bihu or Kati Bihu. It is the least celebrated Bihu in Assam. Store of rice and other crops tend to be over during this period that’s why people of Assam call it Kongali Bihu.
People go to the fields to light Diya and put Chat-Bari.
During this season people of Assam also celebrate Laxmi Puja on the Amavasya of Krishna paksha on the month of Ashwin.
Majuli festival
The festival of Majuli is held on the banks of the river in the state of Assam, which is indeed the backdrop of boundless natural beauty. The most important thing about this festival is that the assimilation of different ethnic groups under one sky exemplifies the revival of their culture and heritage. Special events are held round the clock and give a lot of scopes for the common people to participate in it.
Rongker and Chomangkan festival
The two most important festivals of the Assam are the Rongker and Chomangkan celebration, they are the native tribes. It is performed at the beginning of the year in the month of April. The festival also symbolizes a variety of colors and is celebrated for the betterment of the people of Assam.
The main reason for celebrating this festival is to keep people free from diseases and natural disasters throughout the year and also seek blessings for the rich harvest of crops. During this auspicious festival, women-folk are not allowed to enter the premises of worship. This is a festival that is dedicated to the dead people and can be redefined as a death ceremony. It is a non-stop 4 day and night celebration and demands participation from every Karbi.
Ambubachi festival
Ambubachi festival is mainly organized in the most developed city of Assam i.e Guwahati. This festival is celebrated in between the rainy monsoon season. Held at an interval of 4 days, this festival brings out the tantric culture prevalent in many parts of Assam. The legend behind this unique fair is that Goddess Kamakhya undergoes her menstruation for the first 3 days of the festival.
It follows strict restrictions by devotees who do not bathe or cook food. People also refrain from reading or worshiping holy books during these 3 days. After 3 days, Goddess Kamakhya is cleaned with water and milk. A grand ceremony is held and now the doors of the temple welcome the devotees and they worship Goddess Kamakhya.
State function
The two most important state festivals of Assam are discussed as follows:
Elephant festival
It is an important festival organized by the Forest Department and Tourism Department of the Government of Assam and is held every year in Kaziranga National Park for the conservation and protection of the Asian elephant. The festival is celebrated by various activities of domestic elephants as well as various cultural programs occur.
Brahmaputra Beach Festival
The beach festival of Brahmaputra is held every year by the assistance of Assam boat racing and rowing association with the tourism department of the Assam government. This annual festival is marked with various cultural events and adventurous participation in the field of sports. The Beach festival is organized every year in Assam with the motive to intensify the scope of tourism in Assam.
Conclusion
Assam is a great land in every prospective because the heritage and natural beauty of Assam make it unique and distinct. With that, it has a lot of festivals too to celebrate and all the festivals are celebrated to express gratitude to God. These festivals have got vital significance and people from all over the globe come to be part of these lovely celebrations.
