Magh Bihu celebrated with enthusiasm across Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts
A CORRESPONDENT
LAKHIMPUR: Showcasing the perennial ideology of 'Unity in Diversity', the people of the Assamese community across Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts on Thursday and Friday celebrated the Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu, the most auspicious festival of the State, which is regarded as the pride of the whole community.
On Thursday evening, following the COVID-19 protocols, the people of the districts unitedly organized a grand community feast at the Bhelaghar, built for the occasion, with due enthusiasm following the tradition. During the celebration, competition events on various traditional games related to the Bihu festival, such as long jump, high jump, tug of war, koni juj (duck egg fighting), kukura juj (cock fighting), climbing on the stem of banana plant, tekeli bhonga, musical chairs, duck-catching were organized among the children, youths. Competitions on Bihu delicacies were organized among women at the Bhelaghar premises during the celebration. Traditional Bihu nam competition was also organized among the children at different places in view of keeping the traditional cultural resources alive.
On Friday, youths burnt the Meji (bonfire) made of firewood, thatch, at the early dawn in a sacred environment paying obeisance to Agni, the god of fire. People sought blessings from the god of fire and the departed souls of the family ancestors for the future wellbeing. During the hours of Meji burning, people unitedly enjoyed the consumption of Bihu delicacies like chira, Til-pitha, ghila pitha, Hurum, Mah-korai or gut-korai (a roasted mixture of rice, black gram) curd and others. Community 'Xarai' was offered in the namghars praying for the Almighty on the occasion. Notably, Magh Bihu falls on the day of Makar Sankranti of the year. According to Hindu mythology, Makar Sankranti and the festival marks the end of an unfavourable phase and the start of a holy phase.
On the other hand, competition on various traditional games, held for festive enjoyment and entertainment, was organized with a daylong agenda at various villages in Lakhimpur district on Saturday on the occasion of Magh Bihu.
People irrespective of their age and gender took part in the competition events organized separately, not for winning prize but for the celebration of life. The people of Bhati Jalbhari village under Dhakuakhona subdivision of the district organized competition on Rochi tona (Tug-of-war), climbing on banana plant with hand rubbed with mustard oil, catching duck with eyes closed by wrapping with a piece of clothes, Tekeli-bhonga, Koni Juj (Duck-egg fighting). Similarly, the people of Hilodari village also organized the competition on the traditional games on Saturday. These events were organized to promote the resources of colourful Assamese culture, which are in the brink of extinction at present.
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