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Wednesday 2 April 2014

Bihu Festival


Hello, friends!This is the first time, I am writing for A to Z challenge.  I'll be writing about the Festivals of India. As India  is a secular country, we celebrate all festivals,whether Hindu,Muslim, Christian and Parsi with equal fervor and regard. Today's festival is  celebrated in Assam.


Bihu is a very popular dance of Assam. It is celebrated thrice a year. There are three forms of  Bihus.  
(1) Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu in April,
(2) Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu in January and 
(3) Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu in October/ November. 

Lots of prayers are offered and there is lot of joy and merriment during these  periods. It  provides a great opportunity to the natives of the state to rejoice and have fun and frolic. It is celebrated thrice a year. All the three Bihus owe their origin to ancient rites and practices but they have taken definite urban features and have become popular festivals in urban areas also.

Bihu Dance             
Bihu dance accompaniment
Assam is a state rich in cultural heritage. The people are very closely knit and enjoy celebrating colorful festivities. These activities are associated with rites and rituals, and have closely merged with the culture of the  state. This has encouraged greater bonding of people of different strata of society.  Such festivals have  become a part and parcel of their life.   Out of the three Bihus, Bohag Bihu is the most popular. The basic occupation of the State is agriculture. Hence the festival revolves round  pre-harvesting and post harvesting period.  

 
                           Bihu Dance                                         

 Bohag Bihu is celebrated with the advent of Spring. It is a festival which denotes fun, gaiety and merry making. It is celebrated by performing special songs and dances. In this two day festival, the first day is  devoted  to worshiping a cow. The cows are decorated  and prayers are offered for  the well being of the cow, and more milk production. The second day is known as Manuh Bihu or human worship. After a ritual bath, people adorn themselves in new   clothes.  They  exchange gifts and prepare special Assamese  delicacies.                                                                                                

Day 2
Pics Courtesy Google
Video courtesy you tube                  
Words 290               

38 comments:

  1. This post brought back memories of the Bihu dance we performed at a school function. Thanks for reviving some good old memories :)

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    1. Thank you Shilpa. Good that you went to the past memories.

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  2. This Bihu I was trying so hard to teach my niece and her friends Bihu dance with help of YouTube but then we gave up and went to watch others dance :P :D

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    1. I know hat Bihu dance is quite difficult.

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  3. I know about this one having grown up in Shillong and with my parents belonging to Assam and now living in Guwahati..You made me feel so happy with this post :)

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    1. Naba, good to know that this post made you happy.

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  4. awww made me miss hone :) I am so happy you did a post on Bihu :)

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  5. An informative post, Usha ji! You have picked well for B. Would someday like to visit Assam.

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    1. Thank you Beloo . I am glad you liked the post.

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  6. Sounds very festive, happy, and colorful! ♥

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    1. Yes Kathy, this is a very colorful and vibrant dance.

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  7. I had no clue Bihu was celebrated thrice a year. There's really so much we don't know about our country.

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    1. Thank you Tulika. We will know so much during this A 2 Z.

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  8. So much of the information is new for me, Thanks Ma'm :)

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    1. Thanks Sreeja. We will know much more from each other in the coming days.

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  9. Yes Bihu brings a lot of colourful dances and fest-ivies to my mind :-)

    Richa

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  10. this is something i hadnt heard of!! thanks for sharing ma'am :)

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  11. this is something i hadnt heard of!! thanks for sharing ma'am :)

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  12. new info for me too.. thanks.. agriculture indeed generated many festivals in olden times...

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  13. Would love to see it someday. I did not know they were celebrated thrice a year.


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  14. Would love to know about more festivals from different states

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    1. Thank you Sitara for visiting this space
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  15. Looks very refreshing! And that too thrice a year! Nice!

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  16. I had only seen the Bihu dance but never knew this was a three time festival. Thanks for the info Ushaji :)

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  17. This is completely new to me. Thanks for sharing and look forward to celebrating more festivals with you through your blog.

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    1. Thank you ovengoodies. Welcome to my site.We will celebrate together.

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  18. wow!! that was something I did not know about, except that it is a dance form...great piece!

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  19. Brought back my childhood memories spent in Assam :)

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    1. Good that you remembered your olden days.

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