Assam: Uruka-Magh Bihu Spirit Beats Winter Chill in State

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Uruka and Magh Bihu spirits have beaten the winter chill in Assam with markets and fields agog with activities—marketing and making mejis and bhelaghars, respectively.

While most parts of the state will observe Uruka on Monday, a few other areas like Barpeta and some parts of Nalbari will observe Uruka on Tuesday. Thus the burning of the Meji, or bonfire, will be in the wee hours of Tuesday in most of the places, barring Barpeta and some areas of Nalbari where the burning of the bonfire will be in the morning of Wednesday.

This Bihu, being a post-harvest festival, is basically associated with traditional and ethnic food items in the state. The delicacies include pithas of diverse recipes like til pitha, ghila pitha, varieties of ladoos, chunga pithas, curds, beaten rice, milk, jaggery, etc.

As are the cases with Durga Puja pandals, the traditional Assamese bhelaghars are also undergoing changes, both in creative ways and following modern trends. What is significant is that the bhelaghars are becoming more and more thematic and issue-based. As the tradition goes, fishing has begun in the water bodies in the state, including Deepor Beel in Guwahati. On Monday morning, there will be large-scale fishing across the state.

The Bhogali spirits have got a boost with Bhogali Melas being held in the state, mainly in urban areas. Various self-help groups and others have been holding such melas for selling traditional and ethnic delicacies.

Following a directive from the Gauhati High Court, the people of the state will give the traditional buffalo fights and bulbli fights a miss. While buffalo fights of Ahotguri used to draw crowds, bulbuli fights of Hajo were a means of entertainment for many. However, koni jujh (egg fight) and other traditional games will continue.

 Also Read: Assam: SOP issued to control milk and meat product prices during Magh Bihu

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