The Festival You Like Most
or
The Bihu Festival of Assam
Name of the Festival -
The festival I like most is bihu. Bihu is the national festival of Assam. The Bihu festival is celebrated thrice-in the pousha samkranti, Chaitra samkranti and ashvina samkranti. It is the indication of three different stages of agricultureal life and nature alike.
Origin of the Festival -
Nobody can definitely say how and when this Bihu festival originates. But the most accepted theory is that Bihu originates from the tribal source of hunting and harvesting of agricultureal products. The tribal people of Assam termed it in different names such as Bihu, Bi-hau, Bisu, Pisu etc. Whatever be its name, Bihu is expression of joy and merriment. The Ahom king celebrated Bihu as royal festivals in Assam
How Bihu is celebrated -
There are three Bihu in Assam namely Bahag Bihu or Rongali Bihu, Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu and Magha or Bhogali Bihu. The Bahag Bihu falls on the last day of the Chaitra month. The first day of the Bahag Bihu is meant for the cattle. Cattle are bathed and adored. From the second day the Bihu is meant for men. New clothes are worn by the rich and poor alike. Presentation of Bihuwan is made. People enjoy the Bihu with feasting merriment, dance and singing Bihu songs. Now a days Bihu competitions are held on open stage in village and town alike.
The special feature of Bhogali Bihu is feasting. This Bihu is welcomed with the worship of God of Fire. People make meji and haralighar near the village. All the people of the village assemble there and pass the night with feasting and merriment. Cook-fight, bull fight and buffalo fight are some of the special features of this bihu. In the Kati bihu earthen lamps are lighted at the paddy field to properties the Goddess of Paddy. No other ceremonial rites are solemnized in this festival.
Conclusion -
Bihu is sone of the main features of Assamese cultures. Bihu unites the people forgetting all jealousy, ill-feeling and previous misdeeds done to others.
