Bihu Festival Essay in 500 Words
Bihu festival is the festival celebrated in the Assam state of India. Since India is a land of pastoral culture, this festival is the most prestigious in the region as it marks the arrival of spring and harvest.
The word Bihu comes from a Sanskrit word ‘Bishu’ meaning to ask for prosperity and abundance during the harvesting season. It is celebrated thrice in a year because it is classified into three-Rongali, Bhogali and Kongali Bihu. Each has a separate significance and different way of celebrating. The Bhogali falls in January, Kongali in October and Rongali Bihu in April.
Types of Bihu
As mentioned earlier, the festival is divided into three. Let us understand the importance of each through the meaning concealed behind them.
Bhogali Bihu
It is also known as Magh Bihu, which is a harvest festival and marks the end of harvesting. The word Bhog means fun, enjoyment and eating. On the eve called ‘Uruka’ young men build a makeshift cottage known as ‘Bhelaghar’ with the hay of the harvest crops and the ‘Meji’ in the night along the banks of the river.
There is a lot of feasting where people prepare delicacies and enjoy it together. The entire night is spent by singing Bihu songs, dancing, beating dhol around the Meji. The next morning, people take a bath and burn the Meji.
Everybody gathers and throw rice cakes called Pithas and betel nuts into the fire. Then they offer their prayers and express their gratitude to God of light to mark the end of the harvesting season.
The following day people greet each other with sweets and rice cakes and exchange Bihu greetings. The elders are gifted Gamosas a traditional kind of cloth with red borders to show respect. One of the distinctive features of this festival is that in some parts different types of sports like Buffalo fight, cock-fight, Nightingale-fight is organized for amusement.
Rongali Bihu
Rongali Bihu is the beginning of the Assamese New Year. Among all the three festival, this one is the most entertaining and fun. It is celebrated in spring and also referred to as Bohaag Bihu.
The festival is a symbol of dance, bliss, happiness and music. The celebrations include burning torches in the fields by men and playing buffalo horn called Pepa.
Moreover, livestock is worshipped, which is considered to be the chief source of earning. Dance performances are held indoor and outdoor locations. People from every corner gather together to indulge in such festivity and an environment infused with communal harmony and brotherhoods. Stories are shared over lunch and dinner.
Kongali Bihu
The Kati or Kongali Bihu is closely associated with agriculture. Kongali means poor because there is not much left to eat. The festival is celebrated by lighting candles, earthen lamps in front of Tulasi plant to worship Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) for a whole month.
Tulsi plant (Basil) holds a sacred place in Hinduism. The candles are even lit up in paddy fields for the excellent health of the crops.
Significance of the Bihu festival
The festival celebrated in the region is associated with the farming calendar. People pray for prosperity and a good harvest. Furthermore, it is believed that the word Bihu is derived from two words- Bi meaning to ask and Hu meaning to give.
Bihu is celebrated by traditional dance and music followed by playing different musical instruments like dhol, Pepa, Taal and Gogona. Since Assam is an agrarian region with Brahmaputra River being the primary source of water, the three festivals are the prime festivals of the state. For the farmers of the area, the festival is close to their heart.
Bihu Essay in 250 Words
Bihu festival is the prominent festival celebrated in the state of Assam in India. Since the chief occupation of the region is agriculture, the festival is dedicated to welcome spring and harvest season.
It is celebrated with great pomp and enjoyment. The festival is divided into three kinds-Bhogali, Kongali and Rongali Bihu and celebrated thrice n a year. The word Bihu comes from Sanskrit word Bishu and is an amalgamation of two words-Bi meaning to ask and Hu meaning to give. The festivals coincide with other festivals like Makar Sankranti, Holi and Diwali.
The festival attaches importance to paddy crops as they are grown in abundance. There is not much history related to the festival, but it is believed that the festival gained ground since the people of the region commenced tilling the ground for livelihood and sustenance.
Over the passage of time, the festival took shape and became popular. There are night feasts known as Uruka which is observed the night before Bhogali Bihu. Women prepare delicacies and gather around Meji, a type of haystack which is burnt in the morning.
People offer prayers and thank fire God. Instruments like dhol, Pepa, Gogona and Taal are played followed by traditional Bihu dance. Greetings are exchanged through Petha a type of sweet dish and Gamosa (a kind of cloth with red borders).
People even pray for prosperity and maintenance of fertile soil. Lamps are lit up in the fields and front of the house. The whole atmosphere is filled with fun and enthusiasm.
The farmers attach a special place for this festival as it marks the harvest and sowing season. Their houses are washed and decorated. People wear traditional attire and dance to different folk songs.
It also represents their new year. Therefore they express gratitude towards God and asks Him to eliminate their problems and negativity. According to the legend, the prayers are fulfilled by God, and it brings bliss, happiness and joy to the people.
10 Lines on Bihu Essay
- Bihu is the prominent festival of Assam.
- It marks the arrival of spring and harvest and retreat of winter.
- The festival is closely related to agriculture as Assam is an agrarian region.
- The word is derived from a Sanskrit word Bishu meaning prosperity.
- Also, the word is an amalgamation of two words- Bi and Hu.
- The festival is celebrated thrice in a year.
- It is divided into three-Bhogali, Kongali and Rongali Bihu.
- Bhogali Bihu is all about food, Rongali is all about enjoyment and fun, and Khogali is about praying for a good harvest.
- Petha is a sweet dish made from rice served and exchanged among the relatives. The elders are gifted Gamosas to express respect and love.
- Everybody gathers together and celebrates the festival by lighting lamps and earthen pots.
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