Assamese harvest festival Bhogali Bihu celebrated

14 January, 2013

January 12 and 13 marked the celebration of Bhogali Bihu, the harvest festival in Assam and neighbouring states. The word 'Bhogali' is derived from 'Bhog', which means delicious and rich food. So Bhogali Bihu represents a festival of food with merrymaking.

BEING A harvest festival like Lohri, Bhogali Bihu is celebrated at a time when all the cultivation works get over and everyone has plenty to eat and rejoice.

On the eve of Bhogali Bihu people in Assam build two structures called 'Bhela Ghar' and 'Meji'. The structure made of wood or tree leaves is called Meji, which is burnt on the following actual Bihu day. The temporary house built close to Meji is called 'Bhela Ghar' for feasting and community singing.

Meji is worshiped as God of Fire and lighted up. In the fire of Meji all types of potatoes are roasted and everyone eats them as divine offering. Women for many days cook various snacks and sweets for this day to be brought to the auspicious Meji spot to be served to everyone.

Special sweet called 'pitha' is prepared from a special sticky red 'bora' rice, coconut, sesame and jaggery to be distributed and enjoyed by the gatherings at Mejis.

The community feasting is done, irrespective of caste, religion or language, by people from all communities of the locality or village.