The Heartbeat of Assam
A visual guide to the lively Bihu festival, a cultural gem of Assam, closely tied to nature and farming traditions.
Three Festivals, One Spirit
Rongali Bihu
The Festival of Merriment (Mid-April)
Celebrating the Assamese New Year, this lively Bihu honors spring, fertility, and the spirit of togetherness.
- 🎶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 as stores run dry, centered on faith and yearning for fertile yields ahead.
- 🏮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 close with gratitude, abundant granaries, and festive community gatherings.
- 🔥Burning ceremonial Meji structures.
- 🍲Holding grand community feasts (Uruka).
- 🥥Preparing and sharing countless traditional sweets.
The Bihu Calendar
This timeline illustrates how the three Bihus align with the annual agricultural cycle, marking phases of planting, cultivation, and harvest.
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 vibrancy of spring.
🧣Attire & Symbols
Women wear the traditional Mekhela Sador, while men don the Dhoti paired with the Gamosa. The iconic red-and-white Gamosa symbolizes Assamese pride, affection, and honor.
A Taste of Bihu: Popular Pithas
Bihu celebrations are incomplete without Pithas—scrumptious rice flour cakes. This chart highlights some favorite types relished during the festival.