Assam celebrates Bhogali Bihu

Guwahati, Jan 15 (PTI) Assam today celebrated itstraditional harvest festival Bhogali or Magh Bihu on MakarSankranti with the burning of ''Mejis'' and praying to thegod of fire not to unleash wrath during the summer.

With the granaries full, celebrations for this agrarianfestival began last night on Uruka when community feasts werearranged by the people preparing local delicacies of fish andmeat inside the Mejis erected by them with bamboo, wood,leaves and hay.

As the name Bhogali suggests feasting, this Bihu is acelebration of food after a good harvest and a variety ofsweets are prepared from rice, coconut, til (sessame) andjaggery.

In a spirit of brotherhood irrespective of religion thepeople from all communities in the village together build theMejis days ahead of Bihu, and even have competions whichvillage would have the tallest one.

At the crack of dawn today the Mejis, also known asBhelaghars in some areas, were set ablaze to the chanting ofprayers appealing Agni Devta (god of fire) to cause nodestructions with fire during Posoowa (coming dry months).

Respects were also paid to the elders with gamochas(traditional scarf) and greetings exchanged among relativesand friends with the partaking of sweetmeats as Pithas madewith the sticky bora'' rice peculiar to this area. (more) PTIESB PR