‘Buka Bihu’ Celebrated with Festive Fervor in Assam’s Majuli

Guwahati: The first day of the Assamese calendar’s first month, “Bohag,” is today.

While state residents were celebrating Manuh Bihu on the first day of “Bohag,” Majuli residents were celebrating “Buka Bihu” throughout the several Satras of the island district.

Playing in the mud is how the Satras or Vaisnaviate monasteries celebrate Buka Bihu. The saints consider mud to be a symbol of peace and assert that it prevents a number of skin conditions.

People on the river island Majuli, central to Satras, observed “Buka Bihu.” The Auniati Satra saints still adhere to the 366-year-old custom known as “Buka Khel.”

On the Satra grounds, the Buka Khel is organised according to custom. The saints like playing with each other while applying mud to them.

People in Assam visited temples on the first day of Bohag to ask God’s blessings for a fruitful year to come. Children often ask their family’s elders for blessings and show them respect by giving them the traditional Gamosa.

Assam is in the midst of celebrations as the state’s most cherished holiday, Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu, has begun. The rhythms of “Dhul,” “Tal,” “Pepa,” and “Gogona” are setting the mood.

Bohag Bihu, which normally falls in the second week of April, is a celebration of the arrival of spring. The festival marks the beginning of harvest. Assamese traditionally celebrate Bihu thrice a year that signifies different seasons – Bohag Bihu, Bhogali Bihu and Kongali Bihu.