CHINAKI-- A CENTRE FOR HERITAGE : Basanta Utsab of Assam

Basanta (Spring) Utsab(Festival) of Assam

Culture of Assam is mainly Agriculture basis. The Austric- Nixad people are the main milestone of this culture. Not only in Assam, all over India they took possession for establishing the agricultural rural civilization.

This Basanta Utsab is the main Agricultural festival of Assam among all communities, collectively the whole communities are called Assamese (Oxomia) . Agricultural Festival is mainly in three types like- beginning of cultivation, the broom weather of cultivation, after collection from cultivation.

BIHU is the national festival of Assam, a far North-Eastern state of India. Assamese culture distinguishes itself remarkably from the rest of India via the cultural festivities that happen throughout the year.

In this Spring Season the Bohag Bihu (in April) is the beginning of the cultivation and Magh Bihu(in January) is the end of cultivation. Bohag Bihu is the effort to get and the Magh Bihu is the happiness for collecting, to get from cultivation. This happiness touches the heart of Assamese people brings inspiration.

Along touches of the Spring season, Nature is becoming /growing matured with new leaves. likewise people of Assam are also feeling very romantic, they come together to enjoy the life with their own composed songs and dance with lots of love. Whole (Chot mah) Choitra months from the beginnign of first moon in March to April they are enjoying in moonlight with dance and folk songs and getting love from each other is called Rati Bihu (Night Bihu) and couple starts their new life with bonding of love. This Rati ends the day before Garu (Cow) bihu , Sangkranti. From the Cow Bihu to the seven days people are celebrating Saat Bihu (seven Bihu) these are- Garu Bihu, Manuh(human)Bihu, Haat Bihu, Chenehi Bihu, Maiki Bihu, Rongali Bihu, Chhera Bihu. Some people from north Brahmaputra are celebrating Guxai (God) Bihu.

Lalung and Dewri communities are celebrating Bihu the day after the Wednesday of Bihu, beacuse they believe the Wednesday as their holy day. Tuesday is called Uruka and Wednesday they offering prayers to Cow.

Missing community celebrates their spring festival Bihu which is called Ali Ai Ligung, when they sprinkles the seeds of dhaan.

Dimasa community celebrats their Spring/agricultural Bihu at the time when the day on which the sun passes from one sign ofthe zodiac to another from the months Falgun to Choitra.

Tripuri from Tripura are celebrating Bihu in this time and in the Seven day they organize the program which is called "Goriya puja".

Rabha community celebrates the Bihu is called "Boikhu" offers prayer to their devi devta.

In Plain ground of Assam, Tai Bouddhist people like TaiKhamti, TaiFake, Tai Aiton, Tai Turung, tai Khamyang people are celebrating Bihu as PoySamnam.

Polash Flower of Spring

Therefore, this Spring season brings to Assam more green, and happiness to all communities. Whole geography is celebrating the Agricultural festival in this Spring with new hope, success, as prosperous NEW YEAR.