Fairs & Festivals of Assam

Situated on the North-Eastern corner of India, Assam is one of the most enchanting states endowed with natural bounties. The mesmerizing land that boasts of its exquisite culture, which is formed by the merger of different races, is reflected by the fairs and festivals celebrated in the state. The state celebrates numerous festivals with grandeur and fervor that enlivens the environment. Despite a plethora of races and tribes residing together, every festival is celebrated with equal fervor and everyone participates in the celebration, irrespective of caste and creed. These festivals reflect the vibrant and beautiful culture of the state. Some of the major festivals celebrated in Assam are:

Fairs & Festivals of Assam , India

Bihu

The most famous festival of the state is Bihu thatis celebrated with grandeur all over the state, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. It is the state-festival of Assam, which are of three types, celebrated in three different times during the year. Magh Bihu also known as Bhogali Bihu is a harvesting festival, which is celebrated on the day of Sankarnti in the month of Magh of the Hindu calendar. This festival being a harvesting festival is marked by feasting on the previous day. The next bihu, which is celebrated in the month of Bohag of the Hindu calendar and April of the Georgian calendar, is the Bohag Bihu also known as Rongali Bihu. This festival marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year and welcoming of the spring season. During this festival, the whole state gets energized and is celebrated with hue and cry. People wear new clothes, gifts presents to the relatives and makes delicious Assamese delicacies like a variety of Pithas and Ladoos. This festival is celebrated by singing and dancing Bihu, which further adds to the popularity and vibrancy of the festival. Lastly, on the month of Kati of the Hindu calendar, Kati Bihu also known as Kongali Bihu is celebrated. This Bihu marks the beginning of cultivation and people pray to God on this day for good crops and prosperity.

Ambubachi Mela

One of the important festival, celebrated in Kamakhya temple, Ambubachi Mela is organized very year during the monsoon season. Kamkhya is the place where the female genitals of Sati, the consort of Lord Shiva fell, forming one of the 51 Shakti Peeths of India. It is believed that during this time, the Goddess undergo the menstruating cycle once every year and is considered to be an auspicious time for seeking blessings. Although the doors of all the temples in the state remains closed, a fair is held with the temple complex, which is visited by a number of devotees across the World.

Ali-Ai-Ligang

Festival of the Mising tribe of Assam, Ali-Ai-Ligang is celebrated during the spring season. This spring festival is held every year on the first Wednesday between the months of February and March. One of the most colourful and vibrant festival, this festival reflects the culture and tradition of the Mising tribe.

Me- Dum- Me- Phi

Another important festival that is celebrated with great hue and cry is Me- Dum- Me- Phi. This is an important festival of the Ahoms, which is celebrated to commemorate their ancestors and offers homage to the ancestors to protect and bless them. This festival is celebrated every year on 31st of January, which is marked by carrying out colorful procession of the people from the Ahom community clad in their traditional attire.

Besides these, there are a number of festivals celebrated in the state by different tribes residing in the mystic land of Assam. Jonbeel Mela, Baishagu, Rajini Gabra & Harni Gabra, Rongker and Chomangkan, Baikho, etc. are just of name a few festivals celebrated in the state.

Image Courtesy - NewIndianexpress