Magh Bihu...
Magh Bihu (also called Bhogali Bihu i.e. Bihu of enjoyment) is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam, India. The word 'Bhogali' comes from the Assamese word 'Bhog' which means eating and enjoyment. This is the festival that marks the end of harvesting season of the month of Assamese calender i.e. 'Magh' (January-February). Magh Bihu is commonly celebrated in mid-January (Sankranti or Maghar Domahi) throughout the state. It is marked by community feasts and bonfires. There is a lot of feasting and eating during this period together with fun since the granaries are full. In other words, Bhogali bihu is celebrated at a time when all the cultivation works get over and everyone has plenty to eat and enjoy.
For the celebration, Assamese people, particularly young men build a makeshift cottage, known as 'Bhelaghar' at a preferable place. They also erect another most important and towering structure called 'Meji' by using bamboo, thatch, wood, hay and leaves etc. collecting from the harvest fields. During the night (Uruka i.e. eve of Magh Bihu), they prepare food and there is community feasting everywhere. They eat the food prepared for the grand feast called 'Bhoj' inside the 'Bhelaghar'. The entire night is spent by people singing Bihu songs or enjoying. Boys roam about in the dark stealing firewood and vegetables for fun.
In the next morning i.e. on the actual day of Magh Bihu, everyone takes ceremonial bath at the dawn itself and prepared to the 'Meji'. The Meji is lit up by an old member of the society or village and several rituals are observed around the burning bonfire. Offerings are made to the Hindu God of Fire (Agni Devota). All the people gather around the 'Meji' and throw Pithas (Rice cakes), Betel nuts, Coconuts to it while burning it at the same time. They offer their prayers to the God of Fire and mark the end of the harvesting year. Various types of potatoes like mitha aloo, muwa aloo, etc. are roasted in the large fire of 'Meji' and everyone, from children to old people eats it. The crackers made of bamboo (called Hiloi) are bursted as a traditional firework display.
Magh Bihu is celebrated at a season when winter is about to go. It is believed that the fire of 'Meji' burns the winter out !
Thereafter people come back home carrying pieces of half burnt firewood for being thrown among fruit trees for favourable results. All the trees in the compound are tied to bamboo strips or paddy stems. Ladies of the society prepare for this Bihu for many days. They cook various snacks, sweets, for this day. On the Bhogali Bihu day, they carry their food items to the auspicious 'Meji' spot. Various types of Jolpan and Pitha are served to everyone.
Like all other Bihu, Magh Bihu also has the ritual of showing respect to the elder one with Gamosa. The celebrations also feature with traditional Assamese sports involving pets, animals etc. such as Buffalo-fight, Egg-fight, Cock-fight, Nightingale-fight, Pot-breaking etc. held throughout the day where from children to old people participate.
Thus this festival involves a lot of feasting, sporting activities and is generally a time to make merry. Thus we, the Assamese people are maintaining our culture.
Magh Bihu (also called Bhogali Bihu i.e. Bihu of enjoyment) is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam, India. The word 'Bhogali' comes from the Assamese word 'Bhog' which means eating and enjoyment. This is the festival that marks the end of harvesting season of the month of Assamese calender i.e. 'Magh' (January-February). Magh Bihu is commonly celebrated in mid-January (Sankranti or Maghar Domahi) throughout the state. It is marked by community feasts and bonfires. There is a lot of feasting and eating during this period together with fun since the granaries are full. In other words, Bhogali bihu is celebrated at a time when all the cultivation works get over and everyone has plenty to eat and enjoy.
For the celebration, Assamese people, particularly young men build a makeshift cottage, known as 'Bhelaghar' at a preferable place. They also erect another most important and towering structure called 'Meji' by using bamboo, thatch, wood, hay and leaves etc. collecting from the harvest fields. During the night (Uruka i.e. eve of Magh Bihu), they prepare food and there is community feasting everywhere. They eat the food prepared for the grand feast called 'Bhoj' inside the 'Bhelaghar'. The entire night is spent by people singing Bihu songs or enjoying. Boys roam about in the dark stealing firewood and vegetables for fun.
In the next morning i.e. on the actual day of Magh Bihu, everyone takes ceremonial bath at the dawn itself and prepared to the 'Meji'. The Meji is lit up by an old member of the society or village and several rituals are observed around the burning bonfire. Offerings are made to the Hindu God of Fire (Agni Devota). All the people gather around the 'Meji' and throw Pithas (Rice cakes), Betel nuts, Coconuts to it while burning it at the same time. They offer their prayers to the God of Fire and mark the end of the harvesting year. Various types of potatoes like mitha aloo, muwa aloo, etc. are roasted in the large fire of 'Meji' and everyone, from children to old people eats it. The crackers made of bamboo (called Hiloi) are bursted as a traditional firework display.
Magh Bihu is celebrated at a season when winter is about to go. It is believed that the fire of 'Meji' burns the winter out !
Thereafter people come back home carrying pieces of half burnt firewood for being thrown among fruit trees for favourable results. All the trees in the compound are tied to bamboo strips or paddy stems. Ladies of the society prepare for this Bihu for many days. They cook various snacks, sweets, for this day. On the Bhogali Bihu day, they carry their food items to the auspicious 'Meji' spot. Various types of Jolpan and Pitha are served to everyone.
Like all other Bihu, Magh Bihu also has the ritual of showing respect to the elder one with Gamosa. The celebrations also feature with traditional Assamese sports involving pets, animals etc. such as Buffalo-fight, Egg-fight, Cock-fight, Nightingale-fight, Pot-breaking etc. held throughout the day where from children to old people participate.
Thus this festival involves a lot of feasting, sporting activities and is generally a time to make merry. Thus we, the Assamese people are maintaining our culture.
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