Bihu : Assam
India, being a nation with many states and UTs, have many fests, aptly known as land of festivals. From ages, Bihu is a huge festival inside eastern state, Assam. Here cultures are age old rituals still exists & a major festival inside this state of India is the festival of harvest.
- October, a month for enthusiasts to visit Assam. In this event, Kati or Kongali Bihu 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 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.