Assam is all set to create a Guinness World Record for the largest congregation of Bihu dancers during the Rongali Bihu festival celebrations in the state on April 14. Rongali Bihu is one of the biggest festivals in Assam, which is also known as Bohag Bihu. Addressing a press conference, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced that the state is gearing up for the biggest Bihu show on April 14 at the Sarusajai Sports Complex, where 11,000 dancers will perform to create a new Guinness World Record.
The Chief Minister further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the programme to be held in Guwahati, as will the state government, which will invite all the governors, chief ministers, and diplomats of G20 and ASEAN countries. “We are all set to host the biggest Bihu show on April 14 at Surasajai Sports Complex, where 11,000 dancers will perform in front of PM Modi to create a new Guinness World Record. We will invite all the governors, chief ministers, and diplomats.” Assam’s Chief Minister stated.
He further said that from 2024, the Assam government will organize Rongali Bihu for seven days at Rang Ghar and Surasajai Stadium. He said, “The state government will provide Rs 1.5 lakh to each of the Bihu committees that have organised Bihu for the last 10 years between April 15 and May 15. I appeal to the Bihu committees not to resort to force for donations.”
“Meanwhile, to promote local artisans, a campaign will be launched against any attempt to make Gamocha, Mekhla, and Arnai using powerlooms in the state or bring them from outside the state,” Sarma said. Bohag Bihu, or Rongali Bihu, one of the biggest festivals of Assam, falls every year in the second week of April, marking the beginning of the harvest period.
Rongali Bihu celebrates the beginning of the Assamese New Year. Apart from worshipping the cow, people also follow a generation-old tradition of playing with eggs. The first day of Rongali Bihu, also known as Goru Bihu, is dedicated to cattle and usually falls on the last day of the outgoing year.