Bihu 2023: Know About This Special Tradition Related To Marriage In Bohag Bihu

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No matter how big or small the festivals are, in India all spiritual occasions are celebrated with full enthusiasm. This year from 14 April - 16 April 2023, Bohag Bihu will be celebrated, which is extremely popular in Assam. The festival of Bihu is celebrated three times a year. In India, especially in Assam, people start preparing for festivals many days in advance and will be celebrated for 2 days with different customs and rituals

According to the Gregorian calendar, Bhogali Bihu is celebrated in mid-January and is known as Magh Bihu. The Bohag Bihu which is also known as Rongali Bihu is celebrated in mid-April. Finally, Kongali Bihu or Kati Bihu is observed in the month of October every year. This day also coincides with other harvest festivals such as Vishu, Baisakhi, Tamil New Year and Bengali New Year. Let us know more about this day and the significance related to marriage.

Bohag Bihu 2023: Meaning, Significance Related To Marriage
Even though Bihu is celebrated three times a year, the most popular among them is Bohag Bihu. Every year it starts from Sankranti of Chaitra month. The festival starts with bathing the cows. For this, the previous day, black lentils and raw turmeric are soaked in water the night before. Cows are also fed brinjal, gourd and other vegetables due to a belief that it will make the cows more efficient throughout the year.

Early morning on this auspicious day, people take bath in raw turmeric and water and wear new clothes. After worshipping Lord Indra, on this day people eat only Dahi Chiwda (Curd and Flattened Rice) and sweets. It is only then the celebration begins. In these seven days, people also consume 101 types of green leaves.

The new year for Assamese people begins on this day and people go to each other's houses and wish and greet everyone on this day. Also, it is a custom to visit relatives' houses, seek blessings from the elderly members of families and exchange gifts. This day not only marks the harvesting of crops, but is also an auspicious time for weddings or marriages. People who are singles, can choose their life partners on this day. In Assam, it is on this day, that most people opt for marriages or conduct events.

To celebrate this day, sports and other events are also organised. Men and women wear traditional outfits on this day and perform the Bihu dance on the beats of dhol, flute and more. Many believe that by beating drums on Bihu, there will be abundant rainfall and the crops will be good.