As Assam prepares for the lively celebrations of Rongali Bihu, the heart of Guwahati pulsates with cultural festivity. A Bihu dance workshop recently took the spotlight in the Geetanagar area, drawing the interest of locals and enthusiasts. Approximately 70 girls participated in the workshop, showcasing the anticipation for the upcoming revelry.
Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu, is a significant festival in Assam, celebrated around mid-April. It marks the Assamese New Year and signifies the beginning of the agricultural season. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and includes various cultural activities, rituals, and feasting.
The festival spans seven days, known as ‘Xaat Bihu,’ and includes different rituals and activities each day. On the first day, known as Goru Bihu, cattle are washed and smeared with a paste of turmeric and black lentil. People sing to the cattle and worship them, wishing for their prosperity: “Lao kha, bengena kha, bosore bosore barhi ja, maar xoru, baper xoru, toi hobi bor bor goru (Eat gourd, eat brinjal, grow from year to year, your mother is small, your father is small, but you be a large one).”