11 Interesting Facts You Didn't Know About Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu

Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu 2022 is just around the corner and people across the state are all set to celebrate the festive occasion with great joy and happiness.

The Magh Bihu marking the end of harvesting season brings a new beginning and hopes for people.

This year the Magh Bihu will be celebrated on Friday 14 January and Saturday 15 January respectively. The festival is similar to Pongal and Lohri celebration across the country that coincides with Magh Bihu.

Magh Bihu is all about bonfires, tasty dishes and sweets prepared at home. The festival continues for two days during which people follow certain rituals with great enthusiasm.

Though the festival is celebrated by various communities and tribes there are few facts related to the festival that many are unaware about.

Here are 11 interesting facts you didn't know about Magh Bihu:

1. The Festival of Food: A wide range of people know the festival is only meant for marking the end of harvesting but many might not know that Magh Bihu is also called the festival of food. Another name of the festival i.e. 'Bhogali' mainly suggests Bhog which is much related to rich food. People believed there is much to eat and enjoy as the cultivation process is completed.

2. The Night Before: The night before Magh Bihu which is the last day of the Pooh month also holds great significance because on this night the activities of building Bhela Ghar (house structure made with Bamboo) are done in the fields.

3. Jolpaan: Jolpaan plays a very significant role in the entire two-day celebration of Magh Bihu and the main Bihu day begins by eating Jolpaan. The Jolpaan mainly consists of food items such as Pithas, Handon, Laru, and Kumal Chaul.

4. The Magh Bihu Day: On the main day of Bihu every one including children youth and aged people gets ready to celebrate the day with full energy and enjoyment. People wake up early in the morning to complete their ceremonial bathing which is also important.

5. Meji: Meji is something related to the activities done in the field last night as the Bhel Ghar are set ablaze after all relatives, neighbors and families get together on the day of Magh Bihu. The Meji fire is used to roast tasty food like muwa aloo (potato) and mitha aloo( sweet potato).

6. Offering Prayers: After lighting up the Meji people continue the important ritual of offering prayers and seeking blessing from Fire God (Agni Devta). They offer various types of offerings including betel nut, coconut and others.

7. Hiloi: Hiloi is made up of Bamboo with fire at the font part which is used by youths to enjoy the celebration after the Meji firing.

8. Bull- Fight: Bullfight is one of the thrilling events organized in different villages of the state at the time of Magh Bihu. People gather in one area to watch the bullfights where bulls from villages are bought to fight against each other. The owner of the Bull that wins gets the prize of the winner.

9. The Bird Fight: On the day of Magh Bihu domestic birds are seen to be put in competition by their masters. The scenes are enjoyed by people and make the day a lot more interesting.

10. Egg fight: In the Egg fight (Koni-Juj) two people can participate against each other and the one whose eggs get cracked throughout the competition loses the game.

11. Celebration of life: The festival of Magh Bihu celebrates life as people from different communities come together to end the Magh month. The occasion shows the bonding between families and relatives and strengthens them.

Also read: Magh Bihu 2022: Date and Significance

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