Bihu, one of the famous festivals in India is a harvest festival celebrated mainly in Assam and a few other Northeastern states. The word “Bihu” is derived from “Bishu”, a Sanskrit word that means “to ask the Gods for prosperity during the season of harvests.” Bohag/Rongali Bihu, celebrated in the Bohag/ Baisakh month (middle of April), Bhogali Magh Bihu, celebrated in the Magh month (middle of January) and Kati/Kongali Bihu, celebrated in Kati/Kartik month (middle of October), are the three Bihu festivals celebrated with great enthusiasm. So, if you are looking forward to experiencing the Bihu festival in Assam during a long weekend in April, we have curated a list of the best places to visit in Assam on the occasion. Also, for your comfortable stay, you can book your hotels from the Treebo Club’s website or app.
Before we explore the places to visit for the Bihu festival in Assam, let’s know what to expect during the festival.
Three Bihu Festivals in Assam:
1. Bohag Bihu
Also known as the Rongali Bihu, Bohag Bihu is a seven-day festival celebrated on the occasion of the Assamese New Year and the onset of spring in the middle of April during the month of Bohag or Baisakh. The day also marks the first day of the Hindu calendar. It is the most popular Bihu festival in Assam where the farmers prepare the fields for paddy harvesting with great joy. On the first day of the festival, Cow Bihu or Goru Bihu, bulls and cows are bathed with turmeric, fed with gourds and brinjals and provided with new attaching ropes. On the next day, Manuh Bihu, people clean their houses, wear new clothes, and prepare special feats which include different types of pitha (rice cakes), green leafy vegetables, rice beer and meat.
Relatives exchange gifts, mainly hand-woven scarves called “Gamucha” an honourary felicitation to mark the celebrations of the New Year. On the third day, Gosai Bihu, people worship gods for a prosperous new year and enjoy singing and dancing on the Bihugeets (Bihu songs).
2. Bhogali Bihu
Popularly known as Magh Bihu, it is the festival of food that marks the end of the harvesting season. This Bihu festival in Assam is celebrated in the middle of January during the Magh month. The eve of the Magh Bihu is known as the Uruka during which families and relatives gather and enjoy feast, dance and music around a bonfire.
People from all walks of life come together to celebrate the harvest season with tremendous zeal by arranging traditional sports like buffalo fights and wrestling.
3. Kongali Bihu
Celebrated in the middle of October during the month of “Kati/ Kartik,” Kongali Bihu is also known as Kati Bihu. During the time of the festival, paddy fields are in the growing stages and the granaries of the farmers are almost empty. People celebrate the occasion by lighting earthen lamps/diyas at the foot of the household tulsi plant, granary, garden and paddy fields.
Unlike the other two Bihu festivals, this Bihu festival in Assam is not marked with feasts and celebrations but with prayers to protect the maturing fields from pests and evil eyes.
Bihu Festival in Assam 2025
- Bhogali/ Magh Bihu – 14th January 2025 (Tuesday).
- Bohag/ Rangoli Bihu – 14th April 2025 (Monday) to 20th April 2025 (Saturday).
- Kongali/ Kati Bihu 2025 – 18th October 2025 (Saturday).
Significance
The Bihu festival in Assam is not just a celebration of the harvest season but also a celebration of life, unity and gratitude. People come together to participate in the rituals, share meals and celebrate the festival without any discrimination. The three Bihu festivals around the year signify the agricultural life cycle from sowing, growing and harvesting The festival also celebrates the hard work of the farmers for a successful harvest.
The festive atmosphere filled with joy, laughter dance, music and traditional activities brings communities together creating a sense of unity and togetherness.
Traditional Attire
Both men and women dress up in traditional Assamese attire showcasing the craftsmanship and culture of the region during the Bihu festival in Assam. Let’s have a look at their attire for the festivities:
- Women’s Attire: Women wear a mekhela chador, a two-piece garment with intricate patterns, often made from Assam’s famous Muga silk.
- Men’s Attire: Men wear a dhoti and gamosa (a handwoven cloth) along with a kurta.
Places to Visit During the Bihu Festival in Assam
If you are planning to witness the festivities during the Bihu Festival in Assam or wish to explore the scenic beauty and cultural heritage of the state, here are the best places to visit in Assam at least once in your lifetime:
1. Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati
One of the 51 Shakti Peethas, Kamakhya Temple is one of the mysterious temples in India, located on the Nilachal Hills of Guwahati. The unique feature of the temple is that there is no idol or image of the deity. People worship the yoni (female genital) of the Goddess Kamakhya which is carved on a block of stone situated in the corner of the temple. Tantric practices in the temple further make it unique and one of the best places to visit in Guwahati. The temple is also surrounded by other temples dedicated to nine other deities – Bhubaneshwar, Kali, Tara, Chinnamasta, Bagala, Bhairavi, Dhoomavati, Matangi and Kamala which collectively are known as Dasamahavidya.
You can easily find affordable hotels near Kamakhya Devi Temple Guwahati while immersing in the festivities of the area.
2. Sualkuchi
Known for its artistic production of handwoven Muga, Eri and mulberry silk sarees (worn by the women on special occasions like the Bihu festival in Assam), Sualuchi is a heritage handloom village in Assam. The name Sualkuchi is derived from the native Sualu tree which is used for feeding and rearing silkworms. It is the perfect place to witness the festivities during the Bihu festival as it is famous for weaver’s music and dance performances. During the festival, you can buy handwoven clothes and enjoy various activities organised for the celebrations.
As the village is just 35 kms away from Guwahati, you book your stay at hotels in Guwahati that offer private cab facilities for your ease of travel.
3. Barpeta
Barpeta in Barpeta district is also known as Satra Nagari (Temple Town). If you wish to witness the rich cultural heritage of the state, then this is the place where you can find works of the great Assamese renaissance personalities like Mahapurush Shrimanta Sankardeva who laid the foundation of Assamese culture and heritage in the surrounding areas.
Bihu festival is also an integral part of the festivities of the town and it is popularly known as “Domahi/ Domhi”. The Magh Bihu festival in Assam is the most famous among the people of the town for the celebrations in Vaishnavite monasteries (Satras) like Kirtan Ghar Satra. The festivities include prayers, devotional music and cultural events.
4. Dibrugarh
Located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River, the “Tea City of India”, Dibrugarh, is a famous tourist destination in Assam. Surrounded by lush tea estates, it is also one of the booming industrial cities. Jokai Botanical Garden cum Germplasm Center, Jeypore Rainforest, Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuaries, Shrikshetra Dhaam and the Lord Jagannath Temple are some of the famous places to visit in Dibrugarh.
Also, it is an ideal place to visit during the Bihu festival in Assam, especially the Bohag Bihu. Immerse in the celebrations in the green fields where you get to enjoy the rhythmic beats of dhol and buffalo hornpipe and witness the locals adorned in traditional costumes singing folk songs.
Thus, witness the festivities rooted deeply in the old-age traditions during the Bihu Festival in Assam. The festival is a reminder of unity, gratitude and communal celebrations. So, if you are planning to get a first-hand experience of celebrating the festival with the locals, the above-mentioned places in Assam are a must-visit for you.
Also, for a comfortable stay on your trip, you can book your accommodation at affordable Treebo hotels in Assam. The travel desks available at the hotel will also help you experience the festivity like never before. Start planning your trip today for an incredible travel experience!
