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Assam is a land of fairs
and festivals. Most of the festivals celebrated in Assam have their
roots in the diverse faith and belief of the inhabitants, but a
spirit of accommodation and togetherness characterizes the
celebration of all festivals. The perfect fusion of heritage of
numerous races has made Assam, the home of the most colorful
festivals which are passionate, compelling and mesmerizing
reflecting the true spirit, tradition and lifestyle of the people of
Assam. |
Brahmaputra Beach
Festival
Held on the
beautiful, white riverside beaches of the river Brahmaputra, it
is a perfect blend of traditional contests like elephant race,
kite flying and modern adventure sports like wind surfing,
rafting, canoeing, kayaking, para-dropping, hot air ballooning,
beach volley ball and beach cricket. This event coincides with
Magh Bihu, the Assamese harvest festival.
Dehing
Patkai Festival
This
festival in eastern Assam derives its name from the
lofty Patkai range and the playful Dehing river. It is a
heady cocktail of ethnic fairs, golfing, tea heritage
tours, adventures sports, wildlife excursion and down-mwmory-lane
trips to World War II cemeteries and the Stilwell Road,
once the passage to the golden land of Myanmar. It is
organized in the month of January every year.
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Bihu
Marking the
beginning of agricultural season is Assam's most important
festival Bihu. It is celebrated during mid-April with much pomp
and gaiety. There are 3 kinds of Bihu festival. Rongali or Bohag
Bihu celebrates the coming of spring and the beginning of the
sowing season; Kongali or Kati Bihu is the barren bihu festival
when the fields are lush but the barns are empty; Bhogali or
Magh Bihu is the thanksgiving festival after the crop harvest
and the barns are full. The day before the each bihu is known as
'uruka'. |
Baishagu
Famous
for its myriad colours and merriment, 'Baishagu' is
generally celebrated by the Bodo Kacharis during mid April.
It is the most cherished festival of the Bodo tribe and
heralds the New Year. The Bodos also celebrate it as a
springtime festival at the advent of the new year.
The first day
begins with worship of the cow. The next day which
synchronizes with the first day of the month of 'Bohag' of
the Assamese almanac, the actual merriment begins with the
young people of each household reverentially bowing down to
their parents and elders. The supreme deity 'Bathou' or Lord
Shiva is worshipped during the festival by offering chicken
and rice beer. |
Elephant
Festival
For
conservation and protection of Asiatic elephant, a festival
is organized every year at Kaziranga National Park jointly
by the Forest Department and Tourism Department, Govt. of
Assam. The festival includes many activities by domestic
elephants and various cultural programmes. |
Ali-ai-ligang
Ali-ai-ligang is the colourful annual festival of
Mishing tribe. It is held on the first Wednesday of the
month of 'Ginmur Polo' (February-March). The ceremonial
sowing of paddy starts on this day. |
Rongker Rongker, the most important festival of the Karbis, is
celebrated in April to worship various gods and
goddesses for the well being of the entire village. |
Me-Dum-Me-Phi The most important Ahom festival is the
Me-Dum-Me-Phi. It is an ancestor worship festival
which is observed by the whole Ahom community. This
is performed annually on the 31st of January at some
common venue. This helps to develop social contacts
and community feelings among the Ahoms. It is marked
by Colourful processions with devotees in
traditional finery. |
Rajini Gabra & Hami Gabra
Rajini Gabra-Hami Gabra is an annual festival of
Dimasa tribe. This socio-religious festival is
celebrated before starting new cultivation. |
Baikho
The Rabha tribe celebrates the Baikho festival
during the spring season in order to worship the
goddess of wealth ' Baikho'. |
Jonbeel
Mela
This spectacular fair(mela) is held every
year during winter at Jonbeel of Jagiroad, a
lesser known township only 32 kms from
Guwahati. A few days before the mela, tribes
like the Tiwas, Karbis, Khasis, Jaintias
from the Meghalaya hills assemble with their
various products for this big mela. Before
the 'mela' they perform fire worship or agni
puja for the well being of mankind. It is to
be noted that during this mela, the 'govaraja'
or the king of the Tiwa tribe along with his
courtiers visit this mela and collect taxes
from his subjects. Also these communities
perform their traditional dances and music.
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Ambubashi Mela
Ambubashi, the most important festival
of Kamakhya temple, is celebrated in
mid-June every year. Thousands of
devotees throng the temple on this
auspicious occasion. It is held every
year during monsoon (mid-June). It is a
ritual of austerities celebrated with 'Tantric
rites'. It is a common belief that the
reigning diety, 'Kamakhya' , 'The Mother
Shakti' goes through her annual cycle of
menstruation during this period. During
Ambubashi the doors of the temple remain
closed for three days. It is believed
that the earth becomes impure for three
days. During this time no farming work
is undertaken. Daily worship and other
religious performances are suspended
during this period. After three days,
the temple doors are reopened after the
Goddess is bathed and other rituals are
performed. It is believed that the
mother earth regains her purity now.
Ambubachi mela is held at the Kamakhya
temple, after three days.
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Tea Festival
Celebrated with pomp and show during
January – February, this festival is all
about tea, music and merriment. It marks
the world of festivity with traditional
hospitality, jungle safaris, tea garden
visits, golf, local cuisine, rafting in
turbulent rivers, angling, shopping and
cultural extravaganza.
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