Assam is
a land of fairs and festivals. The colorful festivals of Assam
reflect the true spirit, tradition and lifestyle of the people of
Assam. Most of the festivals celebrated in Assam have their roots in
the diverse faith and belief of the people, but a spirit of
accommodation and togetherness characterizes the celebration of all
festivals. Some of the major festivals which are celebrated in Assam
are Bihu, Majuli Festival, Baishagu, Elephant Festival, Brahmaputra
Beach Festival, Dehing Patkai Festival, Rongali Utsav, Bohaggiyo
Bishu, Ambubashi and Jonbill fair. The tribes of Assam have their
own colourful festivals like the Kherai Puja of the Bodos, the Rangi
Gobra and Harni Gobra of Dimasas, the Baikhu and Pharkantis of the
Rabhas, Ali-ai-ligang and Parag of the Mishing tribe, the
Sagra-misawa wansawa and laghun of the Tiwas and Bohagiya visu of
the Deoris. Me-Dum-Me-Phi is the ancestor worship festival which is
observed by the whole Ahom community.
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Bihu Festival |
Bihu is one of the
most important national festival of Assam which is celebrated by
all the people and tribes of Assam. There are three Bihu
festivals in Assam, which are celebrated in the month of 'Bohaag'
(mid April), 'Maagh' (mid January), and 'Kaati' (mid October)
and known as Bohaag Bihu, Maagh Bihu and Kati Bihu. The Bohag
Bihu, also known as Rangali Bihu or the Festival of Merriment is
the main Bihu festival which is celebrated as the Assamese New
Year, in the middle of April, and is celebrated with distinctive
Bihu dances and songs. |
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This festival is
enjoyed very much, and marks the arrival of spring season. The "Kaati Bihu", also
called as "Kongaali Bihu" or the Festival of the Poor, marks the
completion of sowing and transplanting of paddies. The "Maagh
Bihu", also called as "Bhogali Bihu" or the Festival of Food,
marks the end of the harvesting period. It is one of those
festivals which all the major tribes in the state celebrate,
with different names. The Bodos call it Baisagu, while the
Rabhas call it Baikho and the Missings, Deuris and Morans on the
other hand call it as the Bihu Utsav. These tribes celebrate "Bihu"
with dances of their own distinctive style. In this festival,
Assam comes alive to the beating of the Dhol (drums) and the
melody of the Pepa (flute). |
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Brahmaputra Beach Festival |
The Brahmaputra Beach Festival coincides with Magh Bihu, the
Assamese harvest festival. This festival is held on the beautiful,
white riverine beaches of the river Brahmaputra and provides a
scintillating outdoor experience. During this festival, various
contests like elephant race, kite flying and modern adventure
sports like wind surfing, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, para-dropping,
hot air ballooning, and volleyball are held at the beach. |
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Dehing Patkai
Festival |
Dehing Patkai
Festival derives its name from the lofty Patkai range and the
playful Dehing river. This festival is organized in the month of
January every year in the eastern Assam. In this festival, the
ethnic fairs, golf, tea heritage tours, adventure sports,
wildlife excursion and trips to World War II cemeteries and the
Stilwell Road, once the passage to the golden land of Myanmar
are organized.
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Elephant Festival |
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The Elephant
Festival is organized every year in the month of February at
Kaziranga National Park. This festival is organized jointly by the
Forest Department and Tourism Department, Govt. of Assam for
conservation and protection of Asiatic elephant. The festival
includes many activities by domestic elephants and various
cultural programmes. |
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Rongali Utsav
Festival |
Rongali Utsav Festival is celebrated in the month of April at
Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati. This festival is
celebrated by the numerous communities, tribes and sub-tribes
inhabiting the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra to welcome the
onset of the spring season. |
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Ambubachi Fair |
Ambubachi Fair is the most important fair which is held held every
year during monsoon (mid-June). This festival is held at the
Kamakhya temple of Guwahati. It is a common belief that Kamakhya,
or the mother Shakti goes through her annual cycle of menstruation
during this period. During this fair, the doors of the temple
remains closed for three days as it is believed that the earth
becomes impure. During this time no farming work is undertaken and
daily worship and other religious performances are suspended.
After three days, the temple doors are reopened and the goddess is
given bath and other rituals are performed. The devotees can enter
inside the temple for worship. It is believed that the mother
earth regains her purity now. It is celebrated with 'Tantric
rites'. Thousands of devotees from all over India visit this fair.
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Majuli
Festival |
The Majuli Festival is celebrated on the banks of the Luit river
in Majuli, which is located in a backdrop of immense scenic
beauty. During the festival, special events, cultural programmes
are organized in which the various traditional and classical
cultural troupes of Assam and troupes from rest of the country
participates. A grand exhibition cum sale is also organized where
the artists and experts demonstrate various Assamese products
specially designed and prepared by them like tribal garments,
handicrafts, traditional pottery items, valuable items made of
bamboo and cane. The Assamese and tribal dishes of Majuli are also
made available, and food festival is also organized during this
time. |
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Jonbeel Fair |
Jonbeel Fair, the spectacular fair is held every year during
winter at Jonbeel of Jagiroad, a lesser known township only 32 kms
from Guwahati. A few days before the fair, tribes like the Tiwas,
Karbis, Khasis, Jaintias from the Meghalaya hills gather here with
their various products. During this fair, a big bazar is held
where these tribes exchange thier products with local people in
barter system which is very rare in a civilized modern society.
Before the fair, they perform fire worship or agni puja for the
well being of mankind. The 'govaraja' or the king of the Tiwa
tribe along with his courtiers also visit this fair and collect
taxes from his subjects. The significant point of this fair is its
theme of harmony and brotherhood among various tribes and
communities. Various tribes and communities perform their
traditional dances and music to celebrate the fair. |
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