Bihu : Assam
India, being a nation with many states and UTs, have many fests, aptly known as land of festivals. From ages, Bihu: A festival of east reflects ancient practices of harvest festival inside eastern state, Assam. Here cultures/ age old rituals still exists. A major festival for harvests attracts crowd as well as tourists from outside
- October, a month for enthusiasts to explore Kati/ Kongali Bihu, it denotes paddy in a developing stage.
Assam celebrate this festival for safety of rice/paddy, elders of the family light earthen lamps, called ‘Saki’ at Tulsi, a sacred plant of Hindu households, also at fields as well. ‘Pitha’ is fed to the household cattle first for their productivity, a gesture to invite fortune, wealth, & prosperity.
Bihu is performed on the beat of drums, taal, pepa, toka, baahni, xuluni and gogona. Performers generally sing Bihu songs around a fireplace. Also, there is a mutual exchange of gifts for a better bond. Pitha, a local sweet eaten in the eastern India actually is prepared with rice, a delicacy of the festival that is shared or eaten with family, friends & relatives.