Kati Bihu or Kongali Bohu is among the three kinds of Bihu that are celebrated yearly within the Indian North-eastern state of Assam. The different two being the Rongali Bihu in April and Bhogali Bihu in January. Whereas Kati Bihu is usually noticed in mid-October and this 12 months it falls on 18th October.
The competition marks the relocation of the rice crop and the start of the contemporary harvest season. Kati Bihu is an statement of service, penance, and the hope for a greater future.
During this time in October, the granaries are often not crammed and there’s nothing a lot to eat so this Bihu can be known as Kongali, which suggests “poor.” Therefore, this competition isn’t one thing that’s celebrated with grandeur like the opposite two.
| Event | Kati Bihu |
|---|---|
| Date | October 18, 2024 |
| Day | Tuesday |
| Significance | The day marks the the start of the contemporary harvest season. |
| Observed by | India |
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Kati Bihu History:
Although the fashionable type of Bihu is a synthesis of assorted cultural parts from various ethnic teams like Tibeto-Burman and Tai, it has deep roots within the indigenous tradition. The phrase Bihu has been derived from the Deori (a Boro-Garo language) phrase Bisu which suggests “excessive joy.” The unique type of Bihu proceed among the many Chutias, Sonowal Kacharis and Deoris. These teams, referred to as Sadiyal Kacharis had been related to the historic Kingdom of Sadiya.
Regarding the origins of this competition in a single in style native folklore, it’s stated that Bordoisila (which means north-westerly winds in Assamese) was the daughter of God Earth who was married to a bridegroom of some distant land. Bordoisila visits her mom’s dwelling as soon as in 12 months throughout spring time which signifies the start of Bihu and leaves after a couple of days which signifies the tip of Bihu. Assam expertise robust wind season at that interval which marks the start of Bihu and one other robust gale after her departure which is taken into account to be devastating.
The first reference of Bihu competition could be discovered within the copperplate inscription of the Chutia king Lakshminarayan. The inscription was present in Ghilamara area of Lakhimpur district of Assam within the 12 months 1935 and it was issued within the 12 months 1401 A.D. It states that the king Lakshminarayan has donated land grants to Brahmins on the auspicious event of Bihu.
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Another reference of Bihu could be discovered within the Deodhai Buranji which mentions that the capital of the Chutia kingdom, Sadiya was all of the sudden attacked by the Ahom forces on the primary day of Bihu in 1524 (first Wednesday of Bohag/Vaisakha), when the folks had been busy celebrating Bihu. The Ahom basic Phrasenmung Borgohain upon the advise of a Chutia basic who sided with the enemies performed the Bihu Dhul to trick the Chutias which finally led to their defeat. However later Ahom King Rudra Singha gave patronage to Bihu and was additionally the primary one to have fun Bihu within the courtyard. This coverage was later adopted by his successors.
The trendy type of Bihu dance was derived from the Faat Bihu dance celebrated in Dhakuakhana, Lakhimpur. The performers had been known as by the Ahom king Rudra Singha in 1694 to bop within the royal area Rang Ghar. The origin of Faat Bihu could be traced to Sadiya. Later, within the nineteenth century, this type of Bihu dance was adopted by the opposite communities as nicely and began being carried out in Mahguli sapori, Dhakuakhana by Chutias, Sonowals, Deoris, Ahoms, Mishing, and so forth.
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Kati Bihu Significance:
Kati Bihu is a celebration of solemnity due to meals shortage throughout this month. Since Assam is mainly an agricultural state, and rice is their staple meals, the competition of Bihu is well known amongst each Assamese neighborhood. Magh Bihu is taken into account to be the competition of fine harvest, Rongali Bihu is the competition of sowing. But Kati Bihu is the competition of crop safety and worshipping of vegetation and crops and that is why it’s celebrated with much less grandeur than the opposite two.
Kati Bihu is well known with nice sincerity by all the state of Assam amd it’s the third largest competition on the regional stage of the state after the opposite two Bihus. It is among the few distinctive festivals of India which surpasses faith, social standing, and caste, as folks from all walks of life come collectively and observe the solemnity of their circumstances. Although it’s thought-about a Hindu competition but it surely signifies a distinguished and distinctive cultural heritage of Assam therefore it’s celebrated by most Assamese.
Kati Bihu can be related to the lighting of akaxi gonga or akaxbonti, lamps on the tip of a tall bamboo pole, to indicate the souls of the lifeless the way in which to heaven, a observe that’s frequent to many communities in India essentially the most well-known one being Pitru Paksha competition, so prefer it this competition can be related to paying homage to the ancestors throughout which Assamese honors their ancestors and prays for his or her salvation.
Kati Bihu is the proper homage to the legal guidelines of nature. From nourishing meals to therapeutic daylight, nature offers us all. The harvest cycle relies on the turns of the season and with Kati Bihu, folks honor the autumn that enables us to sow the seeds. So that, come spring, we might bear the fruits. Across the state of Assam, folks use this vacation as an excuse to get nearer to their households and share frequent meals. The day additionally connects them to their ancestors, as homage is being paid to them.
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Kati Bihu Celebrations:
On Kati Bihu, folks worship the tulsi plant and gentle earthen lamps in entrance of it. They additionally gentle the lamps in entrance of the granaries, the backyard, and pray for a very good harvest by lighting lamps within the paddy fields as nicely. The lamp holds a really particular significance, it is named ‘Akash Banti’ and is tied to the poles that are positioned within the paddy discipline.
To shield the paddy fields from pests and evil eyes, the farmers rotate a bamboo piece and recite spells and in historic instances it was additionally believed that earthern lamps labored as an effective way to discourage pests so it turned a typical custom of this competition. They feed ‘Pithas’ to cattle which might be mainly floor rice with sweets. It can be believed that on this night time, the spirits of the lifeless transcend to the land of heaven and these lamps present them the way in which.
The competition is well known all throughout the state of Assam with completely different Assamese tribes having their very own rituals and interpretations of the day. However there are some frequent issue throughout the celebrations of this competition that are that lamps are at all times lit exterior the properties, and a pathway of bamboos is constructed as a path for the ancestors. During the entire month of Kati, Assamese plant the tulsi tree of their gardens and worship it with an earthen lamp.
This Bihu competition is usually celebrated within the night time by lighting lamps or candles in varied locations. People of Assam significantly women worship, pray and welcome Goddess Lakshmi to their homes. Goddess Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth and fortune and that is why she is welcomed to convey prosperity together with her. This complete observe continues for an entire month because the celebrations of Kati Bihu.
Most Searched FAQs on Kati Bihu:
1. When is Kati Bihu celebrated?
Kati Bihu is well known on the primary day of the seventh month of the Assamese calendar, Kati. In gregorian calendar it often falls in mid-October.
2. Why Kati Bihu is named Kangali Bihu?
Kati Bihu can be known as the Kangali Bihu from ‘kangali,’ which means ‘poor’ as a result of by this time of 12 months the home of an bizarre household is with out meals grains, because the inventory is often consumed earlier than the subsequent harvest.
3. Which tree is planted throughout Kati Bihu?
The plant of Tulsi(basil) is planet throughout Kati Bihu in entrance of dwelling as it’s thought-about sacred.
