Bihu celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm in Assam

It was celebration time in Assam. Dancing to the rhythm of the Dhol, Assamese recently celebrated Rongali or Bohag Bihu with great enthusiasm.

Rongali Bihu celebrations mark the advent of the New Year. It is a time when farmers sow new seeds and offer prayers for a prosperous year ahead.

The first day of Rongali Bihu is known as Goru Bihu. During the festival, farmers wash, feed and worship their bulls and cows as a sign of respect and gratitude for the service provided by cattle.

The festival continues for a week.

Pritam Hazarika, a local resident, said: "This is our New Year where all the people of our village come together in a field and we celebrate our culture through the Bihu dance and other activities.

The festival is a time for merrymaking. Special dishes are made to mark the celebrations and people visit their friends and relatives with gifts. Women clad in traditional Bihu clothes along with men wearing Gamochas sing and dance in joy during the festival.

Across the state, Bihu pandals are put up wherein special cultural programmes are presented. People across the state are hopeful of peace and prosperity in the state.

Many devotees took a dip in the the river to mark the occasion.

"We want to give the message that peace should prevail in Assam," said an unnamed local resident.

Gyanshree Pujari, another locl resident, said: "I would like to give the message that people from all the cultures that are residing in Assam should be united and live in peace. There should be no distinctions on the basis of caste or religion. Everyone should live in harmony."

The festival is celebrated thrice a year in the form of Rongali, Kathi and Magh Bihu. Such festivals play an important role of bringing together people and spreading the message of peace and harmony.