ASSAM : A Short Note অসম

Assam is situated in the North-East of India and is the largest north eastern state. Assam is bounded by Bhutan and Arunachal in the north; Nagaland and Manipur in the east; Bangladesh , Meghalaya , Tripura and Mizoram in the south and India in the west. Assam has a geographical area of 78,529 square kilometers and total population of around 25 millions. It is famous for its, tea gardens, natural beauty, wild life reserves (specially one horned Asiatic Rhino), temples, monuments and mighty Brahmaputra River. Assam is a land of natural beauty, cultural richness. It offers a peculiar composite culture, of myriad hues. Dispur is the state capital and Guwahati is the largest city in the state. 

Festivals

Bihu is Assam's one of the most important festivals. Cutting across the bars of class and caste, it celebrated by all and sundry. There are three such festivals in Assam: in the months of 'Bohaag' (mid April), 'Maagh' (mid January), and 'Kaati' (mid October).

The "Bohaag Bihu" (also called as "Rangali Bihu" or the Festival of Merriment) marks the beginning of the New Year - the seeding time. The Bohag Bihu is a dance festivel. The highlight of this dance is a group of young boys and girls, dancing in separate groups with drums beats & pipes. On its eve, the womenfolk clean the clothes and prepare special Bihu delicacies like 'Chira' & 'Pitha'. The menfolk collect necessary items like 'Tara Pogha' (ropes for the cattle) and vegetables like raw turmeric, brinjal, gourd etc. 

The Magh Bihu "Bhogali Bihu" or the Festival of Food) marks the end of the harvesting period. Magh Bihu (derived from the word 'Bhoga' meaning eating or enjoyment) is celebrated when the harvesting is over. It is a harvest festival. On the eve of Bihu day, called "Uruka", women prepare rice cakes and other refreshments. The most significant part of this day is.............

the building of 'Meji' and feasting at night. The whole night is spent in feasting, merry - making dancing and singing.

(Traditional Buffalo Fight is another attraction of Magh Bihu.)

The "Kaati Bihu" ( also called as "Kongaali Bihu") observed on the last day of Aswin(Sep-Oct), marks the completion of sowing & transplanting of paddies.Kati Bihu is celebrated at the time when paddy seedlings begin to grow. In the evenings, offerings are made to the 'Tulsi' plant. Little earthen lamps ('Diyas') are lighted at its feet and puja's are offered to God for improved yield of crops.

The significance of this Bihu is more in the villages, where farmers go to their respective fields and light "Akash-Banti" or 'sky-lamp' hanging from a tall bamboo, to ward off pests and other insects.

Of all the three the Bohaag Bihu is the period of greatest enjoyment, marking the arrival of spring season.