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ESSAY ON BIHU FESTIVAL |
Introduction: The Bihu is the national festival of Assam state of India. The Assamese people observe three Bihus in a single year. The Bahag Bihu, the Magh Bihu and the Kati Bihu are the three Bihus.
Bahag Bihu: The Bahag Bihu comes on the last day of the month of Chaitra (Assamese month) and is observed for the following seven days. The Spring season occurs during the period. Nature wears a lovely dress of green leaves and flowers of various colours. The foodstuffs in houses do not run short. It presents a pleasant moment. So everybody enjoys this period of the year in Assam.
The young boys and girls during this Bihu use to sing Bihu songs to express cheerfulness. The women and girls offer 'Gamochas' to the elders as well as to the youngers to show their respect and love. They weave these Gamochas themselves in the month of Chitra.
The cows are taken for a bath at the nearest river, pool or lake on the first day of this Bihu. In the evening cows are presented with new tethers for Bihu. The next day is the Bihu for men on which Gamochas are presented. This Bihu is also called Rangali Bihu as it is observed cheerfully and pleasurably.
Magh Bihu: The Magh Bihu is observed on the last day of the month of Puha (Assamese month). Everywhere in Assam state, especially in the villages, the Young boys build Mezi Ghars (house) before the Bihu. The previous day of the Magh Bihu is called Uruka. The young boys arrange feasts in the Mezi Gharas that night and spend the night there.Early in the morning they take bath and put fire to the Mazi Gharas. After burning the Mazi Gharas, people return home and take pitha, doi, cira and different items of food as arranged. The Magh Bihu comes immediately after the harvesting. So there is at least some amount of foodstuffs in every house to prepare various food. This Bihu is also called Bhogali Bihu.
Kati Bihu: The Kati Bihu falls on the last day of the month of Ahina (Assamese month). People face a lot of troubles of living during this part of the year. So there is no cheerfulness during this Bihu. In the paddy field, earthen open lamps are lighted so as to welcome the goddess Lakshmi. Black basil plants are planted on the day of this Bihu. There is no abundance of food and cheerfulness in this Bihu. So, this Bihu is also called Kangali Bihu.
Conclusion: Bihu is a culture of Assamese people. We should always try to keep the beautiful culture alive.
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