When considering Assam culture festivals, one may imagine a lively atmosphere filled with dancing, singing, and folk songs. However, there is much more to these festivities than meets the eye. Assam, a state in northeastern India, is known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant festivals.
Let’s explore the diverse range of festivals that Assam has to offer:
Festival of Assam PDF Download:
List Main Festival of Assam:
Bihu:
The festivals in Assam are celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm, and one such
harvest festival of Assam that holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Assam is Bihu. Bihu is Assam’s most significant festival and is celebrated a year thrice:
- Magh Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated in January.
- Rongali Bihu falls in April and marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year.
- Kati Bihu celebrated in October during the sowing season.
All three Bihu festivals have their importance and different significance in the culture of Assam. During the Bihu festival, the people of Assam indulge in various traditional activities like singing and dancing, feasting on traditional delicacies, and exchanging gifts with each other. The Bihu dance is a popular folk dance of Assam performed during the Bihu festival. This seasonal festival of Assam symbolizes joy and happiness and is performed by both men and women.
The Bihu festival of Assam, being the most significant festival of Assam, holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Assam and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal.
Ambubachi Festival
The Ambubachi Festival of Assam is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in the Kamakhya Devi temple of Guwahati. This unique fair is a four-day festivity celebrated every year in June.
This famous festival of Assam celebrates fertility and is dedicated to the goddess of power, Kamakhya Devi. The temple sees thousands of devotees from across the country and the world who come to seek the blessings of the goddess.
The festival also celebrates the harvest season and is a time of great joy and festivity. The fair is a unique experience; visitors can witness various cultural performances and traditional rituals.
Read More: kamakhya temple history
Assam Tea festival:
While talking about the festival of Assam, we cannot forget to mention the unique festival of Assam attended by tourists globally. Assam tea festival is a popular three days festival celebrated in Assam and is all about celebrating the journey of Tea – from a small seed to a hot brewing cup.
It is a state festival of Assam is celebrated during the winter season, between November and January. The festival celebrates the hard work that goes into cultivating and producing the world-renowned Assam tea.
During the festival, visitors witness the entire process of tea-making – from plucking the tea leaves to processing them and brewing a hot cup of Tea. They can also taste different varieties of Tea available there.
Baikho Festival:
Baikho Festival is an Assam important festival, particularly among the Rabhas tribe. It is a festival held to worship the gods and ask for abundant harvest and rain. During the celebration, the locals perform dances and rituals that are believed to drive away evil spirits.
The colorful costumes, lively music, and energetic dances are a sight. The festival is an important part of the Assamese culture and a reminder of the importance of nature and the environment.
The Rabhas tribe takes great pride in their festival and invites people from all over the world to come and experience the rich cultural heritage of Assam.
Baishagu Festival:
Baishagu festival of Assam is among the most celebrated festivals, especially by the Boro Kacharis tribe. This festival is usually celebrated in mid-April and is a way to welcome the New Year. The festival is marked by various instruments, including drums, cymbals, and flutes, and is a time for pranks and fun.
The festival’s highlight is the community prayer, known as “Garjasali,” held at a specified place where people come together and pray as a group. This festival is a symbol of unity and togetherness and is an excellent opportunity to witness the rich cultural heritage of Assam.
Me-Dam-Me-Phi:
Me-Dam-Me-Phi is a significant festival celebrated by the Ahom community of Assam on 31st January every year. The festival commemorates the departed souls of the community and seeks blessings from their ancestors.
The people of the community dress in their traditional attire and the festival is marked with various cultural programs, feasts, and rituals. The ancestors are believed to return to the earth on this day and blessed their descendants.
This main festival of Assam is also a celebration of sisterhood, as sisters are considered to be the living manifestation of the goddess of prosperity and happiness. The festival holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Assam and is an excellent opportunity to experience the state’s rich cultural heritage.
Other Assam culture festivals:
Me-Dam-Me-Phi is a significant festival celebrated by the Ahom community of Assam on 31st January every year. The festival commemorates the departed souls of the community and seeks blessings from their ancestors.
The people of the community dress in their traditional attire and the festival is marked with various cultural programs, feasts, and rituals. The ancestors are believed to return to the earth on this day and blessed their descendants.
This main festival of Assam is also a celebration of sisterhood, as sisters are considered to be the living manifestation of the goddess of prosperity and happiness. The festival holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Assam and is an excellent opportunity to experience the state’s rich cultural heritage.
Read also: Famous Festivals of Goa
Conclusion:
Assam hosts several annual festivals that showcase the state’s unique culture, traditions, and customs. Any Festival in Assam is a perfect opportunity for tourists to experience the true essence of Assam and indulge in its rich cultural heritage. From the Bihu festival, which is celebrated to mark the arrival of spring, to the Ambubachi Mela, which is held to honor the goddess Kamakhya, there are many festivals that one can witness in Assam.
Apart from the Assam culture festivals, the state is famous for its delicious cuisine, beautiful tea gardens, and scenic landscapes. So, if you are a culture enthusiast looking for a unique experience, Assam is the place to be.
FAQs:
A famous and most celebrated festival of Assam is Bihu.
Apart from Bihu, Assam is known for festivals like Durga Puja, Brahmaputra Beach Festival, Ambubachi Mela, and more.