Bhogali Bihu

Subject: Arts and Culture

Context: Assam is celebrating Bhogali Bihu a traditional harvest festival.

Concept:

It is a harvest festival of Assam where people express gratitude for good harvest and marks the end of harvest season. Also called as “Magh Bihu” or festival of abundance.
The word Bhogali comes from word “Bhog” i.e., eating delicacies and enjoyment.
It believes in sharing of the gifts of nature as a community, and to strengthen a sense of identity and belonging.
The festival of Bihu has three forms: Bohag Bihu, Kati Bihu and Magh Bihu. Each of these falling in agriculture calendar.
Bihu dance is an important form of expression of joy.
This day is considered auspicious in the Hindu lunar year as well and is known as the Makar Sankranti, i.e., the day when the sun begins its northward journey or Uttarayan and transitions into the Hindu zodiac sign of Makara. On this day the Sun God is worshipped in various parts of India in the form of different festivals such as Pongal (Tamil Nadu), Maghi (Punjab) and Uttarayan (Gujarat).