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Our Spring tour is scheduled during Bohaag Bihu Festival in Assam

Bihu is the National Festival of Assam, one of the most beautiful states of India, known for its tea gardens, lush green forests and the mighty Brahmaputra river. The origin of the word Bihu is said to be from the Sanskrit word Vishu.

The Bihus mark three distinct phases of the farming calendar for the native crop of Assam i.e. paddy. Bohaag Bihu marks the advent of the seeding time, the Kati Bihu marks the completion of sowing of paddy and transplantation of the saplings (Kothiaâ) and finally Magh Bihu marks the culmination of the harvesting period.

Bohaag Bihu is celebrated over a period of several days. The first day of the Bihu is known as Goru Bihuâ on which day the cows and bulls are given a ritual bath with halodhiâ, maahâ with the accompanying song "Lao Kha, Bengena Kha, Bochore Bochore Badhi Ja." The next day is the main Bihu Day on which people greet each other and pay their respects to the elders in the family by presenting with a new amosaâ ( a traditional Assamese hand-woven cotton towel with red designs and a white background). Gamosa forms an integral part of the Bohaag Bihu celebrations as the male danseuse wears them on the head as well as on the body. The tradition of presenting a Gamosa is also practised while welcoming any guest during anytime of the year.

Another item which forms an integral part of the Bihu celebrations and is also symbolic of Assamese Culture is the Japi -a traditional Bamboo hat with colorful designs. A more simple bamboo Japi is normally worn by the farmer while cultivating in the field protecting oneself from the sun and rain.

The folk songs associated with Bohaag Bihu are known as Bihu Geet. Bihu Geet is symbolic of communication of love and romance among the village youth and the village belles. The dances are accompanied by traditional Assamese instruments like the Dhol (the drum), Pepa, Gagana, and Toka.

Traditionally Bihu has been celebrated with Bihu dance and Bihu geets in the village fields and courtyards, with groups of youths going from house to house, singing Bihu songs known as Husori. The same practice slowly got transformed to holding community functions mainly in towns and cities where cultural functions are held. The end of the Bohaag Bihu is marked by the celebration of Bohagi Bidaai, farewell to Bohaag. One important aspect of the Bihu festival is that the entire Assamese community celebrates it, irrespective of caste, creed and religious followings. We will have opportunities to witness the Bhu dance and festival enroute between Tezpur and Guwahati.

Our Spring tour is scheduled during Bohaag Bihu Festival in Assam