The Heartbeat of Assam
A visual guide to Bihu, Assam's lively festival rooted in nature, agriculture, and rich cultural traditions.
Three Festivals, One Spirit
Rongali Bihu
The Festival of Merriment (Mid-April)
Celebrating Assamese New Year, this lively Bihu honors spring, fertility, and communal happiness.
- 🎶Energetic Bihu dance and Husori songs.
- 🧣Exchanging Gamosa as a sign of respect.
- 🐂Honoring cattle for their role in farming.
Kongali Bihu
The Festival of Scarcity (Mid-October)
A somber moment with barren granaries, centered on prayers and hopes for a fruitful yield.
- 🏮Lighting earthen lamps (Saki) in paddy fields.
- 🌿Worshipping the sacred Tulsi plant for protection.
- 🙏Offering prayers for the health of the crops.
Bhogali Bihu
The Festival of Feasting (Mid-January)
Marking the harvest's end with abundant stores, celebrated through communal feasts and gratitude.
- 🔥Burning ceremonial Meji structures.
- 🍲Holding grand community feasts (Uruka).
- 🥥Preparing and sharing countless traditional sweets.
The Bihu Calendar
This timeline illustrates the three Bihus spread across the year, emphasizing their strong ties to the agricultural phases of sowing, nurturing, and reaping.
The Cultural Essence
💃Bihu Dance & Music
The essence of Rongali Bihu lies in lively steps, graceful sways, and the pulsating rhythms of the Dhol and Pepa, celebrating youthful energy and the vibrance of spring.
🧣Attire & Symbols
Women grace the traditional Mekhela Sador, while men don the Dhoti and Gamosa, with the red-and-white Gamosa symbolizing Assamese pride, affection, and honor.
A Taste of Bihu: Popular Pithas
Bihu celebrations are incomplete without Pithas—tasty rice flour cakes. Here's a chart showcasing some popular varieties relished during the festivities.