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Bihu is celebrated by the Assamese in the state of Assam.
Bihu is celebrated 3 times in a year- 1st in the month of Bohoog, 2nd in the month of Kati according to the Assam calendar and the 3rd is in the month of January.
Importance of Bihu festival
Bihu festival is considered as the most significant festival of Assam. This is one of the biggest festivals of the Assamese as it is celebrated on the eve of their New Year. This festival is celebrated 3 times in a year and named as Bohag Bihu, Magh Bihu and Kati Bihu. Bohag Bihu is celebrated in mid April; the Magh Bihu is celebrated in mid January and Kati Bihu is celebrated in mid October. These three months of Bihu celebration is linked with the three seasons such as the summer, winter and the autumn.
Bohag Bihu:
This is the first Bihu festival. It falls in the month of "Chait sankranthi". This is well known as the Bohag Bihu or the Rongali Bihu. This Bihu is the most festive, joyful and the colorful among the three festivals. The Rongali Bihu falls in the spring season. It is the New Year time .The agriculture festival is also celebrated at this time. All the three special occasions are rolled in one pack and celebrated at one time.
Bihu is observed as fertility celebration. This Bihu is celebrated for 7 days and the first day is called the Goru Bihu. On this day the cattle's are washed and worshipped. This is the last day of the previous year. The next day is the manuh (human); this is the New Year of Assam. On this day people clean their house, wear new clothes and celebrate their new year with great joy. Gosai Bihu is the third day of Rongali Bihu. On this day people worship statues of Gods and they wish for a prosperous New Year.
Magh Bihu:
This Bihu is also called the Bhogali Bihu. The word 'bhogali'is derived from the word 'Bhog' that means eating and enjoyment. This is the festival of harvesting and this makes the end of this season.
Kati Bihu:
This is also known as the Kongali Bihu. This festival is not celebrated in the way the other two are celebrated. During this festival time the winter is approaching and it is the time for sowing seeds.
Celebration of Bihu festivals:
People sing Bihu songs, dance with the beats of Dhol. These songs are related to love and nature. These dances are performed by the young girls and boys. People enjoy this festival with great joy and enthusiasm.
Bihu recipes : Traditional food
Traditional foods dishes prepared on this day are bengena khar, coconut ladoo, fish pitha, koat pitha, ghila pitha, and narikel ladoo and paggi meva.
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