Assam celebrates Magh Bihu - The harvest festival

, January 13: Celebrations for Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu, the

festival, have begun today with community feasts and prayers.

Bihu festival is an occasion when all differences are forgotten and people unite

People begin celebrations by erecting hut-like ‘Mejis' or ‘Bhelaghars' with bamboo, hay and dry leaves. As the name ‘Bhogali' suggests feasting, this Bihu is a celebration of food after a good harvest and a variety of sweets are prepared from rice, coconut and til, reported The Sentinel.

On the ‘Uruka' night, community feasts are arranged by people preparing local delicacies with fish and meat inside the ‘Mejis'.

The Magh Bihu festival marks the end of the harvest season. This is the time when the hard working farmers of the State sit down to reap the benefits of their labour.

On the day after the ‘Uruka', ‘Mejis' are set ablaze at the crack of dawn amid prayers appealing to the fire god not to cause destruction during the coming summer months.

After the burning of ‘Mejis', people sit down to enjoy their fill of traditional Assamese food. In the villages, people also witness bullfights and bird fights. Amid the enchanting notes of flutes and buffalo horns, the youths sing the Bihu songs with lyrics of a good harvest.

The spirit of the Bihu festivities and celebrations has gripped the State a week ahead of the occasion with people going to their native places to celebrate it with their near and dear ones. Guwahati also wears a deserted look with a large floating population making their journey homeward to the districts to celebrate the festival.

Respects are also paid to the elders with gamochas and greetings exchanged among relatives and friends.

The Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu festival is an occasion when all differences are forgotten and people unite to celebrate the occasion in a pompous manner.

OneIndia News