FESTIVALS OF ASSAM

The festivals in Assam are categorized into Agricultural Festivals, Religious Festivals and Folk
Festivals.
These festivals reflect the rich cultural heritage of Assam and the diverse traditions of its people.
• Agricultural Festivals:
▪ Primarily celebrates event in the agricultural cycle
▪ Bihu, Ali Ai Ligang etc
• Religious Festivals:
▪ Me-Dum-Me-Phi, Majuli Raas Lila, Ambubashi Mela, Doul Utsav etc
• Folk Festivals:
▪ Celebrates cultural heritage, traditions, folklore & community identity.
▪ Dehing Patkai Festival, Kaziranga Elephant Festival, Junbeel Mela, Assam Tea Festival,
Bare Chaharia Bhaona etc.

FESTIVALS OF ASSAM2
1. BIHU:
• Bohag Bihu:
o There are three Bihu festivals namely Bohag Bihu celebrated in the month of ‘Bohag’
(Baisakh, the middle of April), Kati Bihu celebrated in the month of ‘Kati’ (Kartik, the
middle of October) and Magh Bihu celebrated in the month of ‘Magh’ (the middle of
January)
o The Bohag Bihu (also called the Rongali Bihu) is a festival of merriment and heralds the
Assamese New Year and the onset of spring. Bohag Bihu is celebrated over a period of 7
days known by these names:
▪ Goru Bihu
▪ Manuh Bihu
▪ Gosain Bihu
▪ Kutum Bihu
▪ Tator/ Nangolor Bihu: In general sense, Tator Bihu is for women and Nangolor
Bihu is for men.
▪ Senehi Bihu/Jiyori Bihu
▪ Mela Bihu/ Chera Bihu
o Besides these 7 Days of Bohag Bihu, there is a pre-Bohag Bihu celebration known as
Chot Bihu or Rati Bihu. In ancient days, Raati Bihu celebrations start on the first night of
the month of Chaitra (Chot in Assamese) and lasts till the commencement of Uruka (14
April). It was celebrated for a complete month or sometimes more than that.
Nowadays, it is celebrated symbolically for a day or two. It is performed at night, so it is
known as Rati (Rati means night in Assamese) Bihu.

• Kati Bihu also called Kongali Bihu unlike the other Bihu’s is not a flamboyant festival and the
festivities are graver in nature. An earthern lamp is lit in the near the Tulsi plant which is termed
as the ‘Tulsi Bheti’An earthen lamp is lit in front of the plant and prayers are offered to Goddess
for the
wellbeing of the family and for a good harvest. In the paddy fields, the farmers lit up a special
kind of lamp known as ‘Akash Banti’ or ‘Sky lamp’. These lamps are placed high on bamboo
poles to attract the insects or pests in the fields and to keep the crops healthy.

• The Magh Bihu marks the end of the harvesting season. The eve of the Magh Bihu is called the
Uruka. The next day is the main Magh Bihu. In the early morning, people take bath and burn the
‘Meji’ built with bamboo and wood.

Significance of Meji:
• The kindling of the Meji symbolizes an event to thank Mother Nature for her blessings with
abundance, to appreciate sustainable practices of living as well as to strengthen the sense of
belonging in a community.
• It is believed that the large bursting sounds of the burning bamboos of the Meji chase away the
evil spirits.
• The ashes are scattered on the fields with the belief that it will increase the fertility of the soil.
People apply the ash on their forehead as a tilak, the spiritual symbol of blessing.
Origin of Bihu: Bihu is believed to have originated from the cultural fusion of Aryan and Non-
Aryan
people.

• Etymology: The origin of the term "Bihu" is actually unclear, but there are a few theories.
1. Sanskrit origin:
o It is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit root word Bisuvan which is traced to
the sacred Hindu texts- Atharva Veda and the Aitareya Brahmana. Bisuvan in these
texts refers to a day on which a fire sacrifice was performed in the hope of obtaining a
3better crop.
o Other texts such as the Visnu Purana, states that a festival called Bisuva took place
between winter and spring when the sun changed its position from one particular sign
of the zodiac to the other. Assam, having strong astrological and astronomical
connections in the ancient times, was known as Pragjyotispur (city of Eastern Astrology)
gave importance to such an event.
2. Tai Ahom Origin:
o It is believed that the word originated from the Tai-Ahom word Poi-hu. ‘The ancestors of
the Tai-Ahoms used to organize a festival known as the Pongo-Sam-Nam which means
to enjoy and make merry by splashing water at people.
o Arriving at the Soumar land (Soumarkhondo) they saw the previous inhabitants from the
Austric and the Tibeto-Burmese tribes celebrating a festival of worshipping cattle by
splashing water at it. Having seen this, they called it as Poi-Hu (from Poi meaning
worship, Hu meaning cow).
o The term Poi by leaps and bounds became Pi and later Bi and now eventually it has
come to be known as Bihu’.
o During the rule of the Ahom kings (1228-1826 AD), the Bihu festival was granted royal
patronage and declared as the national festival of Assam.

Folklore associated with Bihu:

o Local folklore associates Bihu with the goddess Bordoichila (Bardai Sikhla in Bodo).
Bordoichila is believed to be the daughter of Mother Earth. She is married to a man from
a distant land and visits her mother's home once a year during springtime, coinciding
with Bohag Bihu.
Her arrival is marked by strong winds and storms, symbolizing the onset of the
monsoon season. She brings with her the joy and vibrancy of spring, rejuvenating the
land and its people.
After a few days of merriment and celebration, Bordoichila departs, again
accompanied by strong winds- signifying the end of Bihu and the transition to the next
season.

The myth of Kechai-Khati:

The creator God- Brahma, had three daughters—Kolimoti, Seuti and Malati—who once
had a thirst to drink human blood. In order to quench their thirst, they went to Lord
Shiva to seek his permission.
Lord Shiva refused to accede to their demands and instead directed them to
start a journey to a place where there were no human beings. Kolimoti, along with her
sisters voyaged downstream in a boat and arrived at a place called Garuchar Rajya
located at the foot of a hill which was the abode of numerous deities.
As the three sisters voyaged downstream, they began performing songs and
dances. The deities residing on both the banks of the river enjoyed the dance and joined
in with cheer, laughter and whistling. Other female deities and fairies joined the three
sisters while imitating the same form of dance and merriments.
As a consequence of their dance, the dry and withered surroundings turned into
lush greenery and vibrant blossoming with the magic touch of spring. Doyang Dew or
Dhonkoliya who was present at the site was informed that the Bihu would be an
agricultural festival to be celebrated among the peasants. The agricultural produce
would be consumed by both deities and the human beings.
Garuchar Rajya at the foothills of the Satai Parbat is believed to be the present
day Koliabor in middle Assam where the Bihu songs and dance was initiated by goddess
Kolimoti. Dhonkoliya arranged for the musical instruments—dhul (drum), pepa
(hornpipe), toka (bamboo clapper) and gogona (reed pipe) to accompany the Bihu
performance.
An old woman named Kuji was on her way to the Bihu ground when she met
two sisters, Bordoi and Sorudoi. At the request of Kuji, the maidens agreed to forecast
the advent of Bihu among the human beings by creating strong gales.
After they became weary with all the celebrations, the peasants bade farewell to
Bihu with the prayer for recurring every year at the same time. The Bihu merriments
inspired the peasants to engage in agricultural activities.

• Copperplate Inscription:
o The earliest reference to Bihu is found in a copperplate inscription of the Chutia king
Lakshminarayan dating back to 1401 A.D. The inscription records the king's donation of
land grants to Brahmins on the occasion of Bihu.
5o Ratanpur, the cultural capital of the Chutia kingdom, was known for its Bihu celebrations
and the use of the Khol.
• Ahom sources:
o The Deodhai Buranji mentions a surprise attack on the Chutia kingdom’s capital Sadiya
during Bihu celebrations in 1524. The Ahom general used the Bihu Dhul to deceive the
Chutias leading to their defeat.
o In 1696, Ahom king Rudra Singha officially recognized Bihu and allowed it to be
celebrated in the Rang Ghar courtyard.
• Modern Period:
o Bihu finds mention in historical accounts of Ahom kings and early 20th-century journals
like Banhi.
o Early Assamese novels like Miri Jiyori (1895), Dondua Droh (1909), and Rongili (1925)
also have reference to Bihu.
• Independence Movement:
o In the 1930s, efforts were made to popularize Bihu by allowing public celebrations. The
first public Bihu celebration was organized in 1931 by the Ekota Sabha led by Umesh
Chandra Choudhury.
o Since 1952, the Latasil Bihu Maancha in Guwahati has been a prominent venue for Bihu
celebrations.
67
2. Ali Ai Ligang Festival
• The Ali-Ai-Ligang Festival is celebrated by the Mishing tribe every year with much
enthusiasm as it marks the onset of New Year for the tribe.
• The word ‘Ali’ denotes root, ‘Ai’ stands for fruit and ‘Ligang’ means sowing.

• The Ali Ai Ligang Festival in Assam is celebrated during the spring season. It is held

every year on the first Wednesday of the month of ‘Ginmur Polo’ or February
March. The festival continues for 5 days.
• Dressed in traditional attires, the Mishing people pay respect to their ancient God

‘Donyi-Polo’ for prosperity and harvest by offered eggs and fish during this festival.
• The festival is marked by sowing of paddy seeds. After this part of ceremony, young

girls and boys of the tribe take part in ‘Gumrag’ dance.

• After the dancing part gets over, a grand community feast is held by the participants.

The food includes treats like ‘Poro Aapong’.

• ‘Purang Apin’ is specially prepared by the Mishing community only for the festival.

• During this festival, certain taboos are purely observed with respect to cutting trees,

ploughing, fishing, burning jungles etc as per ancient rituals.8

3. Karam Puja
• Karam Puja is the most important agricultural festival of tea tribe communities of
Assam. This is celebrated usually in the month of Bhado (August–September).
• The Karam tree, scientifically named Nauclea Parvifolia is the center of the

proceedings of the festival.

• During the auspicious day, people go to the jungle accompanied by a group of

drummers singing and dancing merrily.

• They then cut one or more branches of the Karam tree. The branches are usually

carried by unmarried, young girls who sing in praise of the deity.

• Then the branches are brought to the village and planted in the center of the ground

which is plastered with cow-dung and decorated with flowers.9

• People gather around the Karam tree and sing in praise of the deity. A tribal priest

called ‘Jhankar’ or ‘Dehuri’ offers germinated grains and liquor known as ‘Haria’ to
the deity.
• A fowl is also killed and the blood is offered to the branch. The priest recites a
legend to the villagers about the evolution of Karam Puja.
• Women dance to the beat of drums, sing folk songs and rejoice. This is how the

famous traditional dance forms of the Adivasis ‘Jhumur’ originated.

• The puja is followed by a community feast and the drinking of ‘Haria’. The next day

the Karam tree is sprinkled with curd and immersed in the river bed.
4. Me- Dum-Me-Phi
• ‘Me’ means Worship, ‘Dam’ means the Dead and ‘Phi’ means God. According to the

Tai Ahom faith, man is not reborn after death and as such one of the important
customs among them is that the dead body is not burnt but kept in a box and a
‘‘Maidam’’ is built.10
• The essence of this festival is that the ancestors or the dead ones are worshipped by

the family members so that the deceased is elevated to the position of ‘Phi’ or God.
• Celebrations in the districts of Sivasagar, Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur are popular

owing to the higher Tai Ahoms concentration in these areas.

• At present, the Ahom people observe Me-Dum-Me-Phi on the 31st of January each

year.
5. Ambubashi Mela
• The temple is one of 51 Shaktipeeths. Ambubashi Mela witnesses thousands of
tantriks and sadhus in attendance from across the world.
• It is believed that the Goddess goes through her menstrual cycle every year in the

month of June. The Kamakhya Temple are closed during those days and no religious
activities are performed. 11
• After three days, the Goddess is bathed and other rituals are performed.

• On the fourth day, the doors of the temple are reopened and prasad in the form of

‘Angodak’ and ‘Angabastra’ is distributed.

• ‘Angodak’ means the fluid part of the body which is basically water from the spring.

While the ‘Angabastra’ also called as ‘Rakta Bastra’ which is cloth soaked in the
menses of the Goddess.
6. Doul Utsav
•
The Doul Utsav also known as the ‘Deul’ in the local dialect is vibrantly celebrated by
the people of Assam, especially in Barpeta.
• Doul Utsav also called ‘Holi’ or ‘Rang’ is the festival of colour and happiness.

• Doul festival is celebrated for three to five days.

• Doul celebrated in the month of Chot is for three days- which is called ‘Burha Doul’

• The Doul that is observed for four to five days- in the month of Phalgun is called

‘Deka Deul’.12
• Holi geets or songs are a unique literary and musical contribution of the cultural

heritage of Barpeta Doul Utsav.

• Bamboo crashing is also one of the most interesting parts of the last day of Doul

Utsav.
7. Baishagu Festival
• This festival is celebrated in the month of April to welcome the New Year (Bohag) by
the Boro Kachari tribe of Assam.
• The first day of the Baishagu Festival begins with the worship of the cow.

• The following day the young people in each family show their gratitude to their

parents and other elder members of the family.

• Lord Shiva or Bathou is worshipped on this day by offering chicken and Zou.

• Many traditional musical instruments are played during the dance festival. Example

Kham, Jotha, Khawbang, Gogona, and Siphung (flute).

• The festival is often ended by offering community prayer at a specified place called

Garjasali. 13
8. Bohaggiyo Bisu
• The Deoris of Assam observe this festival during the spring season.
• This festival is celebrated for a period of 7 days
• It starts with a Than Puja and a buffalo sacrifice (every 4th year)

• The major attractions include Deodhani dance and Husori

9. Raas Lila Festival

•It is a century long tradition and an annual festival in Majuli where Bhaonas are
enacted by the devouts to pay their obeisance to Lord Krishna.
• It is celebrated in the months of October-November (Kati- Aghun)
• During the Raas festival, Majuli becomes a place for pilgrimage. For the believers, the
island becomes the abode of the Lord Krishna and other divinely figures during this
four-day festival starting from the Raas Purnima day.
• The Raas Mahotsav of Nalbari and of Howly (Barpeta) deserves a special mention

with respect to Raas festival.

[Link] Festival
• Rongker is one of the most important festivals of the Karbis. Rongker is basically a
springtime festival and is performed at the beginning of the New Year.
• Prayers are offered to different Gods and Goddesses for the well-being of the entire

village by the elderly male folk. They pray for a good harvest too.
• The women are not allowed to enter the worship arena.14

11. Chomangkan festival

• It is actually a death ceremony performed by the Karbis who organize the funeral.
Chomangkan festival is performed for peace of harmony of the spirits.
• This ceremony is performed at a later date so that the mortals gain endless peace.

• The Chomangkan ceremony lasts for nonstop four days and four nights and is a

mandatory ceremony for every person in Karbi community.

12. Baikho Festival
•It is a springtime festival celebrated by the Rabha community of Assam.
•It is also called as ‘Khoksi Puja’. The festival comes across as the worship of the
Goddess of Wealth- known as ‘Baikho’.
13. Busu Dima Festival
• ‘Bu’ means pray and ‘Shu’ means asking the peace in the world.

• It is the biggest festival of the Dimasas. The Dimasa celebrate “Busu Dima” generally
on 27th January every year in a bid to keep alive traditional food, culture, sports,
eating newly grown autumnal rice.
• This festival is usually celebrated when all the works of jhum cultivation are

completed every year.

• Dance- Baidima & Delicacies- Judima15

14. Rajini Gabra Harni Gabra Festival

• Rajini Gabra Harni Gabra is the annual festival of the colorful Dimasa tribe.
• It is exclusively a socio-religious festival which is generally observed before starting a
new cultivation.
• Rajini Gabra is celebrated during day time. The ‘Kunang’ or the village headman

propitiates the family deity by closing the village gate on the worship date.
• On the same night in a function called 'Harni Gabra'. The presiding deity is

worshipped for the protection and welfare of the people.

• It is very interesting to note that during the Rajini Gabra and Hami Gabra festival if

any outsider enters the village inspite off seeing the closed gate, the entire function
is considered to be spoilt. The intruders then have to bear the total cost for holding
the festival a new.
15. Dehing Patkai Festival
• It is organized at Lekhapani in the Tinsukia district. It is a stimulating blend of tribal
fairs, tea heritage tours, golfing, adventure sports, and wildlife pleasure trip.
• The festival aiming at boosting Tourism in the State is celebrated every year in the

month of January and named after the lofty Patkai range and the playful Dehing
River. This is an annual festival which lasts for three days.
The Dehing Patkai festival was initiated by the Assam Government in 2002 to
promote the diverse culture of Assam. The chief guest of the first session of the
festival was the then President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
• Dehing Patkai Festival offers a trip to the 2nd World War cemeteries which speaks of

history of the past. The festival also arranges for a trip to the Stilwell Road, which
was once the passage to the golden land of Myanmar.16
16. Junbeel Mela
• Junbeel Mela is held every year around mid-January during the time of Magh Bihu.
Junbeel Mela means the ‘fair of the moon lake’. It is held in Dayang Belguri in
Morigaon district.
• People barter goods, socialize for a few days, and then go back to their villages. No

currency is used.
• Junbeel mela is perhaps the only occasion that brings the barter system alive in India
today. It is organized by the Tiwa community with participants from the Tiwa, Karbi,
Khasi and Jaintia communities.
• The fair starts with worshiping the Fire where everyone participates and prays for

world peace and harmony.

• It is then followed by a community feast organized by the present Gobha Raja (the

King of the Tiwa/Lalung tribe). He takes part in the festival and also collects taxes
from his subjects.
• The fair ends on the third day with an address by the King to his subjects and a

cultural get-together.
17. Assam Tea Festival
• It is held in the district of Jorhat in Assam.
• Jorhat is well-known for its extensive tea gardens, the world famous Tocklai Tea
Research Institute and is thus the nerve centre of the tea industry.17
• It is organised by Assam Tourism and the events during the festival include tea tours

around the estates, playing golf at the ‘Jorhat Gymkhana’ - which is the world’s third
oldest golf-club that is still in use.
• The festival is held every year during the winter season from November to January.

• An arrangement for visiting the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, the biggest tea

auction center in the country is one of the main attractions of the festival.
18. Elephant Festival
• The Kaziranga Elephant Festival is a yearly elephant festival held in the Kaziranga
National Park of Assam for the conservation and protection of Asiatic elephants.
• It is organized each year in February. It is a joint initiative of Tourism Department

and Forest Department of the Government of Assam.

• The week- long Elephant festival is being held at Kaziranga National Park since 2003.

19. Daranga Mela

•It is a big bazar held annually for about a month held in Tamulpur district.
•Bhutanese people used to come here with their agricultural produce and take back
kerosene, coconut oil, salt etc
20. Bare Chahariya Bhaona
•
Barechahariya Bhaona is a grand and unique cultural festival celebrated every five to
six years in Jamugurihat (Raghudalani) of Sonitpur district.
•
It is more than 220 years old Bhaona with its first performance being held in 1797-
98. 18
•
Bare means ‘many’ and ‘chahariya’ means dwelling of village people. It has been
said that original concept of Barechahariya Bhaona was started by Hukai Dekagiri.
•
Late Sonitkonwar Gajen Barua, an exponent of folk culture of Assam played a pivotal
role towards development and bringing out the Barechahariya Bhaona tradition from
Jamugurihat to state and national panorama as well.
•
Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and Rudra Barua made a documentary on Barechahariya
Bhaona
•
The Bhaona is led by Gayan and Bayan. It resonates to the sound of Doba, Bhortal,
Khel etc. The Bhaonas depict Bhakti Rasa in the form of various Ragas and Talas.
•
The main pandal is built like giant lotus flower with its buds around the pandal. The
pandal is built by the villagers of the surrounding villages