Rongali Bihu celebrations underway in Lakhimpur

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: The people of Lakhimpur, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith, and belief, have been celebrating the agriculture related spring festival Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu which is also known as Xaat Bihu since Thursday. Marked as 'Lifeline' of the Assamese community, the Bohag Bihu has been celebrated by the people of the district amid the melodious songs of Kuli (cuckoo) and Keteki (Ceylon hawk cuckoo) and the blended notes of Bihu nam with dance form, along with the traditional-musical instruments like dhol, pepa, gagana, sutuli glorifying the ideology of unity among different native communities of the State, regardless of their backgrounds, castes and creeds, religions and languages.

It is notable here that the adverse situation caused by the first and second surges of COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the pandemic induced lockdown, faded the enthusiasm of the people and glutted the festive mood with regard to celebrating the Rongali Bihu last two years. This year, however, people of the district are seen plunging in due fun and festivities by celebrating the spring festival getting rid of the pandemic havoc.

On Wednesday, people observed Uruka, the eve of the Bihu. It was followed by the Goru Bihu, the first day of the Rongali Bihu on Thursday, which was celebrated following the traditions. On that day in the morning, the cattle of the village were brought to the water sources collectively. Then they were washed with a combination of symbolic herbs like maah-halodhi, whipped with dighloti, makhioti, tonglati and pieces of lau (bottle gourd) and bengena (brinjal), by singing some traditional songs, thereby praying for their upkeep in the upcoming year. On the same day, the farmers of the villages typically set ready for the cultivation in the upcoming rainy season and started the cultivation work by sowing seeds of the crops symbolically. On the other hand, the village people started performing Husari at each and every household wishing for the peace, prosperity of the family members. This tradition of conducting Husari as well as Mukoli Bihu will be ongoing for the next five days.

On Friday, the 'Manuh Bihu', the main Bihu of the Rongali Buhu was celebrated with due fun and festivities along with traditional formalities. This day, with the first day of the month of Bohag, also marked the beginning of the new year of Assamese calendar. On this day, people offered prayers at the namghars and other temples in order to get blessings from the Almighty for healthy and prosperous life. The junior members of the family sought blessings from the elders in the family and the family members presented the ceremonial Bihuwan or the Gamosa or other new attires to the near and dear ones.

On Saturday, Gosai Bihu was celebrated seeking the intervention of the divine to keep the people safe from all ominous things and calamities in the upcoming days of the year. The Kutum Bihu will be celebrated on Sunday. The term 'Kutum' symbolises 'Kin'. On this day people will visit their families, relatives and friends to strengthen the bond love, harmony and peace. It will be followed by Mela Bihu on Monday while Senehi Bihu and Sera Bihu will be observed on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. Notably, people in different regions of Assam celebrate the Rongali Bihu or the seven days of the same differently but the common theme of the festival is wrapping up the celebrations with contemplation and future resolutions.

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