{{short description|Harvest festival celebrated in Assam}} {{see also|Indian New Year's days}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}} {{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}} {{Infobox holiday |holiday_name = Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu)<br />Assamese New Year |image = Bihu dance হুঁচৰি.jpg |caption = A group of Children performing 'Husori' during Bohag Bihu. |observedby = |celebrations = |longtype = Social, Cultural, Religious |type = |significance = New Year |date = 1st Bohag (13/14 April) |frequency = annual |duration = 1 day |relatedto = South and Southeast Asian solar New Year }}
Rongali Bihu (also called Bohag Bihu) marks the Assamese New Year, celebrated in mid-April during the Assamese month of Bohag. It’s the most vibrant of the three Bihus, bursting with dance, music, courtship, and community feasting. The word “Rongali” comes from the Assamese word “Rong”, meaning joy, color, and celebration.
So Rongali Bihu literally translates to:
“The Bihu of joy and color”
'''Bohag Bihu''' or '''Rongali Bihu''' also called ''Saat Bihu'' (seven Bihus) is a traditional ethnic festival celebrated in the Northeastern Indian state of Assam and other parts of Northeastern India by the indigenous ethnic groups of Assam, and marks the beginning of the '''Assamese New Year'''. The festival is of mostly aboriginal origin comprising Tibeto-Burman and Tai elements. It usually falls in the 2nd week of April, historically signifying the time of harvest. Every year it falls on the 14th day of April.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://meghalaya.gov.in/megportal/sites/all/images/holidaylist.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=8 April 2016 |archive-date=22 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422123739/http://meghalaya.gov.in/megportal/sites/all/images/holidaylist.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The holiday unites the different native communities of Assam regardless of their backgrounds and promotes the celebration of ethnic diversity.
'''Rongali Utsav''' is a festival organised in Guwahati every year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/why-rongali-festival-stands-out-as-a-platform-for-peace-and-diversity/1547308/|title=Why Rongali festival stands out as a platform for peace and diversity|date=2019-04-14|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-04/15/c_137977204.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921145526/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-04/15/c_137977204.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 21, 2019|title=Rongali Bihu festival celebrated in Guwahati, India|last=李夏|website=www.xinhuanet.com|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=feb0717/city051|title=The Assam Tribune Online|website=www.assamtribune.com|access-date=2019-09-21|archive-date=1 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001161820/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=feb0717%2Fcity051|url-status=dead}}</ref> The festival showcases tribal culture of Assam to the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/festival-showcases-tribal-culture-food/articleshow/56994446.cms|title=Festival showcases tribal culture, food |date=February 6, 2017|first=Abdul |last=Gani |website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/lifestyle/culture/rongali-in-assam-brings-forth-the-true-ethnicity-of-the-northeast-region20190413140048/|title='Rongali' in Assam brings forth the true ethnicity of the northeast region|website=www.aninews.in|language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/rongali-set-to-rock-guwahati/cid/1439514|title=Rongali set to rock Guwahati|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/festival-review-rongali-festival-guwahati-assam/|title=Festival Review: Rongali Festival, Guwahati, Assam -|date=2017-02-20|website=My Site|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref>
In Assam locally the onset of 'Bohag' (Assamese Calendar) marks the starting of Rongali Bihu. The three primary types of Bihu are Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu, Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu, and Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu. Each festival historically recognizes a different agricultural cycle of the paddy crops.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://festivals.iloveindia.com/bihu/rongali-bihu/days-of-rongali-bihu.html|title=Days of Rongali Bihu - Rongali Bihu Days}}</ref> During Rongali Bihu there are 7 pinnacle phases: 'Sot', 'Raati', 'Goru', 'Manuh', 'Kutum', 'Mela' and 'Sera'.
== Information == * '''Goru Bihu''': Garu Bihu is observed on the first day of Bohag Bihu and is dedicated to the care and worship of cattle, which play an important role in agricultural life. It is celebrated on the last day of the month of Chot (Chaitra), marking the transition to the Assamese New Year. Early in the morning, children prepare pieces of bottle gourd, aubergine, turmeric, and bitter gourd, fixing them onto three-pronged bamboo sticks. A paste made of black gram and turmeric is applied to the foreheads and horns of the cattle, along with mustard oil. The cattle are then taken to nearby ponds or streams for bathing. On the way, pieces of vegetables are thrown at them, and they are gently struck with sprigs of dighlati and makhiyati plants while chanting traditional verses wishing for their growth and well-being. After bathing, the old ropes tied to the cattle are removed, symbolizing the casting off of evil, and the animals are left free to roam in the fields. After returning home, people clean themselves and offer prayers either in their homes or at the Namghar, and a special meal consisting of chira, curd, cakes, and other items is prepared. New ropes are made for the cattle, and red threads are tied around them. The animals are sprinkled with Tulsi-soaked water as a form of purification. In the evening, when the cattle return, their feet are washed, they are fed with chira and pitha, and then tied again in the cowshed. In some regions, cows are worshipped as Go-Lakshmi, and a Brahmin performs rituals in the cowshed. Before bringing the cattle back, smoke from burning leaves and straw is used to drive away insects, and its ash is applied as a protective measure against wounds. The plough and other agricultural tools are also washed and respected. On this day, people also eat a traditional mixture of green mango, jute leaves, mustard, and salt, reflecting the cultural and seasonal significance of the festival.
thumb|A group of 'Husori' for the occasion of Assamese 'Bohag Bihu' in their traditional attire. * '''Manuh Bihu''': The first day of the Bohag month marks ''Manuh Bihu'' ('Manuh' symbolises "Elders" and ''Ancestral Spirits''). People give offerings to the elders and the ancestral spirits and ask for blessings. People have a special ''maah halodhi'' bath, put on new clothes and light ''saki'' at ''Gohai Ghor'' (the household prayer place). "Manuh Bihu" involves the tradition of seeking blessings from the elders in a family and presenting the ceremonial patch of ''Bihuwan'' or the ''Gamusa'' cloth, as a gift, to be worn as a symbol of cultural pride. A 'Gamusa' is an indispensable part of indigenous Assamese life and culture with its distinctive symbolic significance. The intricacy of its handcrafting symbolically historically heralded of the ideas of friendship, love, regards, warmth, hospitality and it is intimately woven into the social fabric of Assam. * '''Kutum Bihu''': The second date of Bohag Mah is ''Kutum Bihu'' ("Kutum" symbolises "Kin"). On this day people visit their families, relatives and friends and have lunch or dinner together and share news and stories. * '''Mela Bihu''': The third day of Bihu is marked by the celebration of Bihu with cultural events and competitions in outdoor locales (Mela symbolises "Fair"). In the ancient days, the King and his staff used to come out to such fairs or ''bihutoli''s to mingle in the Bihu celebrations. This tradition of events is continued till date with ''Bihu Melas'' or Bihu functions. The fairs are attended by people from all over Assam and are aimed at fostering an atmosphere of the communal brotherhood and the inclusion of everyone. * '''Sera Bihu''': Also called ''Bohagi Bidai'', ''Phato Bihu'' it is the fourth and final day of Rongali Bihu. In different regions of Assam, people celebrate it differently but the common theme is wrapping up the celebrations with contemplation and future resolutions. It is marked by the exchange of ''Pithas'' made by different families during the Bihu week among their friends and relatives.
== References == <references />
{{New Year by Calendar}} {{Assam}}
Category:Festivals in Assam Category:April observances Category:New Year in India Category:Culture of Assam Category:Festivals in India Category:Cultural festivals in India