Rongali Bihu celebrated with fun and festivity in Lakhimpur

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: The celebration of the agriculture related spring festival Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu, which is considered as the lifeline of the Assamese community, has been underway in Lakhimpur since April 14.

On Thursday, people of the district observed the Uruka, the eve of the Bihu. It was followed by the Goru Bihu, the first day of the Rongali Bihu, which was celebrated on Thursday. Following the traditions on that day in the morning, the cattle of the village were brought to the water sources collectively. Then they were washed with a combination of symbolic herbs like maah-halodhi, whipped with dighloti, makhioti, tonglati and pieces of lau (bottle gourd) and bengena (brinjal), by singing some traditional songs, thereby praying for their upkeep in the upcoming year.

Various organizations and institutions ceremonially observed Goru Bihu in different places of the district. This year the 65th Kendriya Rongali Bihu Sanmilan of Lakhimpur celebrated the event at Ranganadi Ghat at No 1 Panch Noi village in association with the villagers of No 2 Gobarishali, Bogolijan, No. Panch Noi and No. 2 Panch Noi villages. On this occasion the villagers unitedly organized a Bihu dance programme at the spot. Uday Sankar Hazarika, and Ahit Burhagohain addressed the public by extending Bihu greetings.

On the same day, the farmers of the villages got ready for the cultivation in the upcoming rainy season and started the cultivation work by sowing seeds of the crops symbolically. On the other hand, the village people started performing husori at each and every household wishing for the peace, prosperity of the family members. On that day, the Lakhimpur district unit of Asom Anusuchit jati Yuba-Chatra Santha organized a ‘Bihu Adarani’ event in North Lakhimpur town near the Dr BR Ambedkar statue premises. On this occasion, a State-level Toka Bihu competition was organized. The event was inaugurated by cultural activist Meena Kumari Rajkhowa. In the competition, Ghilamora Kendriya Toka Bihu Dal bagged the first prize with Rs. 25,000 while second prize with Rs. 15,000 was bagged by Kerumoni Thuriya Toka Bihu Dal. On the other hand, third prize with Rs. 10,000 was won by Kapou Phool Toka Bihu Dal.

On Saturday, ‘Manuh Bihu’– the main Bihu of the Rongali Buhu was celebrated with due fun and festivities along with traditional formalities. This day, with the first day of the month of Bohag, also marked the beginning of the new year of Assamese calendar. On that day, people of the district were seen beginning the new year by offering prayers at the namghars, xatras and other temples in order to get blessings from the Almighty for healthy and prosperous life without any kind of ailments, natural disasters.

On this occasion, community Nam-Prasanga was held in the namghars and xatras. The junior members of the family sought blessings from the elders in the family and the family members presented the ceremonial Bihuwan or the gamosa to their near and dear ones. On Sunday, Gosai Bihu was celebrated seeking the intervention of the divine to keep the people safe from all ominous things and calamities in the upcoming days of the year.