Magh Bihu 2021 Celebration: Amid Bird Flu, Assam's Moran Villages Get Ready to Celebrate Bhogali Bihu
Moranhat Town: Amid the news of bird flu spread in some of indian states, along with the other parts of the state, Moranjan village of Moran in Dibrugarh district of Assam is preparing for the celebration of Bhogali Bihu also known as Magh Bihu with full enthusiasm and joy.
Around 200 families of the village would be celebrating Magh Bihu together. The women folk were seen singing and dancing Bihu in the agriculture fields as they are getting ready to celebrate the harvest festival of Assam best known for feasting and celebrating good food.
Like most villages of Assam,
here too around 80 per cent of the population depends on agriculture for a
living.
While the women are busy
preparing Bihu delicacies like pitha, laru and other sweets and eatables, the men are busy building Bhela Ghar (a temporary night shelter made of
bamboo, thatch, straws, dry leaves, etc,) mejis. They have arranged for Bhoj
Bhaat (community feast) on the night of 'Uruka' (The night before Magh Bihu is
called Uruka).
Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu also
known as Maghar Domahi is one of the most significant cultural festivals of
Assam. It is celebrated to mark the end of the harvesting season of the region.
The celebration begins on the last day of the Assamese month Pooh (Poush) and
starting of the month of Magh which falls around January 13-14 as per the
English calendar. The festivities usually continue for a week.
The night before Magh bihu is called as 'Uruka'. Early next morning Bihu celebrations begin. 'Meji' (Bonfire) is burnt and as a tradition, people take bath before setting up the meji on fire and while burning the meji people pray seeking blessings from their ancestors as well as Gods.
As an occasion of celebrating the bounty of nature, food rules rampant in the Bihu festivities.
There are three types of Magh Bihu celebrated in Assam, these are Bohag Bihu, Magh Bihu, and Kaati Bihu.