The unique culture and colorful heritage of Assam reflect in various beautiful festivals celebrated in its homeland. You can say that Asam is the land of festivals and fairs. The wonderful series of festivals and fairs celebrated in Assam is an exceptionally attractive, entertaining, vibrant and spectacular experience.
During the festivals in Assam, various local tribes offer tribute to their culture and customs in their unique and beautiful way. To get experience the vibrant, colorful and spectacular festivals of Assam, put your tour of Assam at the top in the list.
Famous Festivals in Assam
The festival celebration in Assam is very popular around the world. People of Assam celebrates their happiness in these festivals of Assam. Here is the list of popular festivals of Assam.
1. Bihu Festivals
Bihu is the most important festival in Assam which connects people of all religions, creed, gender or cast without any discrimination. This is the festival dedicated to agriculture. People of Assam show their gratitude by offering their first crop to the supreme God Brai Shibrai locally known as Father Shibari.
There are three Bihu Festivals held in Assam; Rongali Bihu (Bohaag Bihu), Magh Bihu (Bhogali Bihu) and Kati Bihu (Kongali Bihu). Rongali Bihu observed in April, Kati Bihu observed in October, and Magh Bihu observed in January.
The Rongali Bihu Festival in Assam starts at the beginning of April and lasts for an entire month. The festival can be observed with high spiritual values across the whole of Assam during the whole month. This is the best occasion to know the Assamese culture and lifestyle.
Rangoli Utsav, Buffalo fights and traditional jewelry exhibitions are organized by the Tourism Department are the top attraction of all the three Bihu Festivals.
2. Ambubachi Festival
The Ambubachi Mela is organized around the Kamakhya Devi temple in Guwahati. The Ambubachi Festival in Assam is organized during the monsoon season every year. The Kamakhya Devi temple is completely closed for three days every year. It is believed that the Goddess Kamakhya goes through her menstrual cycle for the first three days of the festivities and blood is released from their body.
During this, the spiritual power of Shaktipeeth increases. Therefore, there is a gathering of religious people and seekers from different parts of the country. Staying in nearby caves, they do meditation. During this festival, many Tantriks come from all around to show their powers and tricks. Here is a unique expression of culture so you must visit this festival.
3. Majuli Festival
The Majuli is a beautiful river island located in the midst of the mighty Brahmaputra. If you have been a part of the Majuli Festival you already know how many pleasing and beautiful festivals it is. Different ethnic and cultural groups come together to display the prepossessing beauty of their customs and faiths. There are various types of cultural activities organized troupes coming from different parts of the country.
In this festival, many artists present a wonderful sample of their art. I can say with the claim that the events that will take place in this festival will win your heart.
4. Dehing Patkai Festival
Festivals in Dehing Patkai add a cultural beauty to Assam. This festival is organized by the Government of Assam in the Tinsukia district in the month of January. Assam hosts a variety of cultural and adventure sports such as Kayaking, Parasailing, and Wike angling which attract people from all over India.
This festival is not celebrated only for enjoyment, but it is a huge contribution to the awareness of the people to save the elephants. The government wants to make people aware of this festival to avoid a continuous decrease in forest cover. People involved in this festival can enjoy delicious food, cultural activities and colorful events.
5. Assam Tea Festival
Assam has a special place in the production of tea, so, for this reason, the tea festival is celebrated to promote tea production. Assam has achieved a special place by producing very fine quality of tea. Assam produces different types of tea such as white tea, black tea, and green tea is famous all over the world.
6. Ras Lila in Majuli
The Raas Lila festival is celebrated every year in October-November on the full moon day. It is unknown when the first time the Raas Lila festival began. The story of Lord Krishna in the Ras Leela festival is depicted on the stage by the local people. This festival has a great impact on the life and culture of the people of Majuli
7. Baishagu Festival
Baishagu is a famous festival celebrated in Assam. This festival is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm in the whole of north-east India. Especially this festival is celebrated by Assam’s Boro Kacharis tribe. Baishagu has many procedures to celebrate. On the first day of the festival, the Boros tribe of Assam worships the cow.
In this festival, children respect their parents by bowing their heads. The next day Boros worship Lord Shiva. After this, all people participate in the famous dance of Assam which is called Baishagu dance.
8. Me-Dam-Me-Phi
Me-Dam-Me-Phi is the festival in the Ahom religion celebrated by the Ahom people in Assam. This festival in Assam is the most important Ancestor worship that is celebrated on 31 January every year in memory of the people who departed from this life. It is a festival to show respect to the departed ancestors and remember their contribution to society.
9. Karam Puja
Karam pooja is a harvest festival celebrated in the many Indian states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. In this festival, people do the worship of Karam-Devta (Karam-Lord/God) who is the god of power, youth, and youthfulness.
The festival is celebrated on the 11th day of a full moon (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Bhadra, which falls between August and September.
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So, these are the most colorful festivals that are celebrated in Assam. If you are heading to Assam or planning a trip to Assam, you must check this list and match your time with any of these festivals. These festivals are a must watch in Assam.
