Manaswita Mahanta
(manaswitamanu@gmail.com.)
As April arrives and spring breathes new life into the landscape, the foothills of Baokhungri in Kokrajhar come alive with celebration, spirituality, and cultural pride. The Baokhungri Festival, held during the first week of the Bodo New Year in the month of Baisakh (April), is among the most cherished and unique festivals in Bodoland. Rooted in ancient traditions and evolving into a vibrant cultural gathering, the festival blends devotion with festivity, making every step up the sacred hill a journey of meaning.
Baokhungri Hill, a significant part of the lush Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, holds deep spiritual significance. Revered by the Bodo community as the abode of Sibrai (Lord Shiva), the hill has drawn pilgrims and nature lovers for generations. The hill is also steeped in folklore. A well-known legend tells of Princess Deeplai, who, upon learning of her lover’s death, offered her life atop the hill. It is said that her sacrifice gave the hill its name, Baokhungri, meaning “the princess who offered herself”.
At the heart of the festival lies the ritual of trekking up Baokhungri Hill on the eve of Bwisagu, the Bodo New Year. This symbolic ascent is believed to bring blessings and prosperity. A popular belief holds that those who climb the hill on Sankranti for three consecutive years are granted happiness and harmony in love and marriage, an enduring tradition that continues to attract hopeful hearts.
While the ritual trek remains the spiritual core of the Baokhungri Festival, the event has expanded significantly since its official recognition by the Tourism Department of the Bodoland Territorial Council in 2018. Over three days, the usually quiet base of the hill transforms into a vibrant fairground, alive with the sights, sounds, and flavours of Bodoland. Traditional Bodo music and dance performances fill the atmosphere with energy, while indigenous sports like Khomlainai, Gila, Dongfang Bukunai, and Daobo Aithing showcase physical skill and cultural heritage.
A major highlight of the festival is Bodo cuisine, presented in its most authentic form. One of the most anticipated dishes is Gwkha Gwkhwi, a special dish enriched with medicinal herbs, believed to boost immunity and help the body adjust to the changing weather.
Handloom and craft exhibitions add further vibrance to the event, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the region’s artistic heritage. Hot air balloon rides, paragliding, etc., provide panoramic views of the forested landscape, revealing its full splendour, diverse flora, birdsong, and even sometimes the rare Golden Langur, the pride of the Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary.
The surrounding area is dotted with natural and mythological landmarks. These include Mwsa Dondor, believed to be a tiger spirit’s cave; Baunashad Dera, said to be the dwelling of mystical beings; Shikhri Shikhla Dwisa, a sacred perennial stream; and Dangduphur Ontha iGuphur, a prominent white rock associated with vultures. Visitors also pass through Boloram Dabri, a plateau-like field tied to oral lore that suggests Boloram, Lord Krishna’s brother, once cultivated crops there. Nearby Amjhora, with its crystal-clear spring and expansive rock bed, serves as a welcome resting point before or after the trek.
Importantly, Baokhungri Festival is not just a celebration of Bodo heritage. It is an inclusive cultural platform where various communities, including Garos, Rabhas, and others, participate with their music, dance, and cuisine, showcasing the social fabric of the region.
Other significant rituals include worship ceremonies, ceremonial bathing of cattle (Mwsou Thukhwinai), and paying homage to elders. The festival reaches its peak with Bwisagu Maginai, a captivating group performance where participants of all ages dance to the rhythm of traditional instruments like the Kham (drum), Siphung (flute), and Jotha (cymbals).
The Baokhungri Festival is more than a cultural event; it is a living expression of Bodoland’s spirit. It invites visitors to walk paths etched in myth, to immerse themselves in tradition, and to celebrate a culture that is as resilient as it is radiant. Here, under the open skies and among kindred souls, the line between the sacred and the festive fades, leaving only the joy of shared heritage.