Magh Bihu
Magh Bihu | |
---|---|
Nagaon District of Assam, on the occasion of Magh Bihu | |
Official name | Bhogali Bihu |
Also called | Maghar Domahi, Magh Bihu |
Observed by | People of Assam and other North eastern states |
Celebrations | Meji, Bhela Ghor |
Begins | 14 January |
Ends | 15 January |
Date | 14 and 15 January |
Frequency | Annual |
Related to | Harvesting |
Magh Bihu (মাঘ বিহু) (also called Bhogali Bihu (ভোগালী বিহু) (of eating Bhog i.e. enjoyment) or Maghar Domahi (মাঘৰ দোমাহী) is a
Overview (Rituals)
The festival is marked by feasts and bonfires.[3] Young people erect makeshift huts, known as Meji and Bhelaghar, from bamboo, leaves and thatch, and in Bhelaghar they eat the food prepared for the feast, and then burn the huts the next morning.[4] The celebrations also feature traditional Assamese games such as tekeli bhonga (pot-breaking) and buffalo fighting.[5] Magh Bihu celebrations start on the last day of the previous month, the month of "Pooh", usually the 29th of Pooh is 14 January, and is the only day of Magh Bihu in modern times (earlier, the festival would last for the whole month of Magh, and so the name Magh Bihu).[6] The night before is "Uruka" (28th of Pooh), when people gather around a bonfire, cook dinner, and make merry.
During Magh Bihu, people of
Uruka or Bihu Eve (Beginning)
The first day of Magh Bihu is known as Uruka or the Bihu Eve.
On the day of Uruka, it is customary for everyone to tie the fruit-bearing trees in their gardens with straw or rice straw. According to folk belief, if the trees are not tied in this way, the seeds will not be produced. Many believe that the Austrians were the first to introduce this tree-tying (Magh-Bondha) ritual. After tying the tree, they return home saying 'Magh Oi Magh, Dal Bhori Lag.'
Day of Magh Bihu (celebration)
The day of the Bihu starts at early dawn by a post-harvesting ceremony called "Meji". In this, bonfires are burned in the fields and people pray to Agni for blessings.[7][8] The bonfires are usually made with fireword, green bamboo, hay and dried Banana leaves. People take bath before setting up the bonfire, as a tradition. The ritual of Meji Jwaluwa (Firing the Meji) is very enjoyable. Worshipp⁹ing the Bhoral and Meji is done by offering Rice cakes, Rice beers, Chira, Pitha, Akhoi, Horoom, Curd, and other eatables. At the end, the Bhelaghar is also burned and people consume a special preparation known as Mah-Karai,
Related Festivals
Along with the main Me-Ji and
See also
References
- ^ "Celebrating Nature's Bounty - Magh Bihu". EF News International. Archived from the original on 17 January 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ISBN 978-81-223-0951-5.
- )
- ^ "Bihu being celebrated with joy across Assam". The Hindu. 14 January 2005. Archived from the original on 4 February 2005. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
- The Telegraph. 12 January 2008. Archived from the originalon 15 June 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
- ^ "Assamese calendar".
- ^ a b c d e f g h Goswami, Praphulladatta (1995). Festivals of Assam. Anundoram Borooah Institute of Language, Art, and Culture,1995.
- ^ Ranjit, Gogoi,. Cultural Heritage of Assam. Janasanyog, Assam, 2008.
- ^ "The aroma of home Bihu feast". 14 January 2017.
- ^ Worship of Kechai-khati which takes place on the same day by Khamtis