BIHU
Bihu is the main and traditional festival of Assam, in north east India. Dance and music forms an important part of the celebration and the festivities continues for seven days at a stretch.
The word bihu is derived from the language of “dimasa kacharis”, which is the agricultural community of Assam, since ages. The word was originally “Bisu”, which meant “to ask for prosperity” from the tribal god. Bihu is the distorted version of Bisu.
Assam is located in the Northeastern region of India, and it is characterized by Blue Mountain and fertile land. The mighty Brahmaputra River is the source of water for irrigation in this region. Agriculture is the prime occupation of the area, and most people are agrarian by nature. Bihu is celebrated to mark the change of seasons. Hence all their daily activities and celebrations are agriculture oriented only. The entire festival is extremely secular in nature and is deeply connected with agriculture.
Bohag bihu is celebrated at the seeding time of paddy. This agricultural festival occurs three times a year but the biggest celebration, known as Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu, happens in April.
Kati Bihu and Magh Bihu occurs in the month of Otober and Janurary respectively.