Bihu : Assam
India, being a nation with many states and UTs, have plenty of festivities, aptly known as land of festivals, a significant celebration in Assam, an eastern state of India, is the harvest festival, Bihu.
- October, a month for enthusiasts to visit Assam. In this event, Kati or Kongali Bihu denotes paddy in a developing stage.
People celebrate Bihu for safety of rice/paddy, elders of the family light earthen lamps, called ‘Saki’ at Tulsi plant of Hindu houses or 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 fire. Also, there is a mutual exchange of gifts for a better bond. Pitha, a local sweet eaten in the eastern parts of Indian Subcontinent, is made from rice, a delicacy of the festival that is shared and eaten with family, relatives or friends.