A look into Assam’s most vibrant festival — Bihu

By Anamika Kanoi

Region: Assam

Festival: Bihu (Rongali Bihu)

When: 13-15th April, 2016

About the festival:

Traditional Assamese food thali

Bihu is the traditional harvest festival of Assam. The state celebrates three types of Bihu, however, Rongali bihu is considered to be the most important of all.

'Rong’ means colours and signifies happiness and merriment. It marks the onset of New Year according to Assamese calender and the start of Spring season. To mark Bihu, young boys and girls wear traditional clothes made of locally produced Assamese silk and perform the group Bihu dance, which is the folk dance of the state. Women prepare laru and peetha, which is made from rice, staple food of Assam. The young honour the elderly with the traditionally woven red and white towel called 'gamusa’. The delicacies, the dance and the aura combined with the greenery of the state is certainly a breathtaking moment for travellers. It is one of the most joyful and endearing festivals of the state, which reflects the rich culture of Assam.