When was Bihu in 2024?
When was Bihu? Know the Dates of Past.
Apr 15, 2024
The history of Bihu is rooted deeply in ancient rites and practices prior to the days of settled agriculture, gathering, and hunting. The traditional agrarian Assamese society celebrates the festival with great enthusiasm. The word “Bihu” is derived from the term “Bishu” which means to seek (bi) for prosperity and happiness (shu) in the dialect of the Dimasha people. Their supreme God is Brai Shibrai or Father Shibrai. The first crops of the season are offered to Brai. “Kalaguru” Bishnu Prasad Rabha interpreted the word Bihu as to ask (bi) and to give (hu). This fervorous festival draws from many traditions like Austro-Asiatic, Sino-Burmese, and Indo-Aryan.
Bihu, a festival of youth and vitality is marked for its secularism and it has become the inspiration of social life with the passing years. People of the multi-ethnic and poly-cultural regions take part in this nationalistic ecstasy manifesting a distinct oneness of the Assamese nation or sub-nation. Unlike other grand Indian festivals, this has little religious inclination with no sectarian bias. This festival truly celebrates the spirit of “Unity in diversity”, the core essence of Indian culture and heritage.
The festival of Bihu has three forms: Bohag Bihu, Kati Bihu, and Magh Bihu, each of which coincides with crucial events in the agricultural calendar of the region. Bohag Bihu (celebrated in mid-April) signals the onset of spring and the beginning of the crop-planting cycle. Kati Bihu (October) is observed as a day of prayer for a good harvest. Magh Bihu (mid-January) marks the completion of the agrarian cycle after the harvest has been reaped. Magh Bihu is celebrated on the cusp of Magh, i.e., the last day of the month of Pooh or Pausa (as per the lunar calendar). It is also called Domahi or the confluence (samahar) of two months. This day is considered auspicious in the Hindu lunar year 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).
The traditional Assamese festival of Bihu is perhaps the biggest festival in the state. Bihu is celebrated three times across the year - Rongaali Bihu or Bohag Bihu, Kati Bihu or Kongaali Bihu, and Magh Bihu or Bhogaali Bihu. Each of these marks a specific time in the harvest calendar. The advent of the seeding time is marked by Bohag Bihu. After that, saplings are sowed and transplanted. This is marked by Kati Bihu. The harvest season concludes with Magh Bihu. The Assamese people celebrate Bohag Bihu as the most important among the three. The seeding time is graced with the celebration of life. Singing and dancing are common sights. People rejoice in the positivity and the hope of new possibilities.
Bihu is a very popular traditional festival celebrated in the state of Assam. Bihu is a special festival it is celebrated at different times of the year. The Assamese celebrate Bihu traditionally three times. Rongaali Bihu or Bohag Bihu is celebrated during the month of April. Kati Bihu or Kongaali Bihu is celebrated in October, followed by Magh Bihu or Bhogaali Bihu in January. The three Bihus mark three different phases of crop cultivation. Bohag Bihu marks the advent of the seeding time. Kati Bihu marks the completion of the sowing and transplantation of the saplings. Finally, Magh Bihu marks the culmination of the harvesting period, completing the crop cycle. Of all three celebrations of Bihu, the Bohag Bihu is considered to be the most important and is generally referred to as Bihu.
The state of Assam celebrates Bihu to its fullest extent with a lot of festivities and also good wishes. Various gifts to India from the USA, as well as other countries, are sent on this occasion, as is the custom. The festival of Bihu is celebrated in three different forms in the state of Assam at different times of the year. These three celebrations even have different names like Bohag Bihu, Kongali Bihu, and also Bhogali Bihu. Among these, the Bohag Bihu is the most important and it is this festival that is referred to when we talk about Bihu. The occasion takes place during the middle of April and is actually the Hindu new year celebration.
Bihu is a very auspicious festival for the people of Assam as it constitutes the celebration of a new year for them. However, it must be mentioned here that Bihu is a harvest festival and is actually celebrated thrice a year with the one commencing the new year being the most important one. The Kongali Bihu is celebrated in the middle of October also known as Kati Bihu and is celebrated very solemnly. The Bhogali Bihu celebration occurs around the middle of January and it is also called Magh Bihu. The Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu is celebrated in the middle of April and it is the main Bihu that celebrates the new year. If you are curious about when is Bihu in 2016 then we would like to inform you that it falls on the 14th of April which falls on a Thursday this year.
Bihu is one of the most famous and highly auspicious festivals for the people of Assam, and they celebrate this festival with great joy and excitement. The most interesting fact about this Indian festival is that it is celebrated three times a year. January, April, October, and November are the three celebrating months of the Bihu festival. However, out of all the forms of Bihu, Bohag Bihu which are popularly known as Rongali Bihu is the most famous and auspicious one. Now, in the calendar of 2015, you might be searching for the date of the Bihu festival. It is believed that the Bihu festival originated around the 3500 century BC mainly during the days of pre-Aryan. The term ‘Bihu’ has been derived from the language of an ancient agrarian tribe, Dimasa Kacharis. Bihu is celebrated for seven continuous days by the people of Assam. It is true that festivals for different tribes are celebrated in Assam with great joy, excitement, and enthusiasm. The most important festival of Assam, Bihu is celebrated uniquely by participating in cultural events. The customs and celebration of Bihu are expressed through graceful Bihu dance moves and melodious Bihu songs.
The Assamese diaspora around the world celebrates the festival of Bihu with abundant fun and ecstasy. Bihu has been the lifeline of Assamese culture since ancient times. The people of Assam get engrossed in Bihu observation three times a year. “Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu” (in the middle of April), “Bhogali or Magh Bihu” (in January), and “Kongali or Kaati Bihu” (in the middle of October) are enjoyed as festivals of merriment and togetherness. Bihu brings humanity, solidarity, and peace among people of various cast and regions. This festival is celebrated with graceful dance moves and melodious songs or “Bihugeets”.
Bihu is an important cultural festival of Assam. People of Assam, irrespective of caste, religion, creed, and faith celebrate this festival with lots of fun and folic. Assam celebrates three types of Bihu in a year. The one celebrated in mid of April is known as 'Rongali Bihu' or 'Bohag Bihu'. Amongst the three Bihu festivals, 'Bohag Bihu' is the most important and colorful one. This festival marks the onset of the agricultural season.
The first day of the festival is known as 'Goru Bihu' or Cow Bihu. On this day, the cows are washed as well as worshiped. This is followed by 'Manuh' (human) Bihu. On 'Manuh' (human) Bihu day people wear new apparel, exchange Bihu gifts, and celebrate the festival with joy and enthusiasm. The third day of the Bihu is known as 'Gosai' (Gods) Bihu. On this day people pray to God and seek His blessing. Various traditional Bihu songs and Bihu dances are performed at this festival. On this festival, you can delight your loved ones by sending Bihu gifts to India online.
