Festivals of Assam: Unique Celebration Culture and Tradition

Assam, known for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant heritage, is a land of diverse festivals that reflect its rich cultural tapestry. Festivals of Assam is itself very unique because of diverse ethnic groups living in Assam. From the lively Bihu celebrations to the spiritual festivals of the Ambubachi Mela, the festivals of Assam showcase the state’s deep connection with nature, tradition, and community. Although questions on festivals is minimal in exams but getting those extra marks will grant you that extra edge from other aspirants. Following is the list of Festivals of Assam and also the Different Festivals of India. Hopefully this post will help you in your upcoming exams.

Festivals of Assam

1. Bihu –

• Rongali or Bohag Bihu observed in April.
• Kongali or Kati bihu observed in October.
• Bhogali or Magh Bihu observed in January.
• Magh Bihu is the main harvest festival of Assam.
• Uruka is celebrated in the day before Magh Bihu.
• Young men wear ‘Chapkon’ dress when performed Bihu dnace.
• Pepa instrument is made from “Genga Moh’. Meaning of the ‘Genga’ is young.

 

2. Me-Dum-Me-Phi –

• Literally in Me-Dum-Me-Phi, ‘Me’ means Worship, ‘Dam’ means dead and ‘Phi’ means God.
• At present, the Ahom people observe ‘Me-Dum-Me-Phi’ on the 31^st of January each year.

 

3. Majuli Festival –

• Celebrated on the banks of river Luit, the Majuli festival held on November.
• The festival lasts for total of 4 days showcasing a number of ethnic groups with their cultural performances.

 

4. Dehing Patkai Festival –

• The Dehing Patkai festival organised at Lekhapani, in the Tinsukia district of Assam.
• The festival aiming at boosting tourism in the state is celebrated every year in the moth of January and named after the lofty Patkai range and the playful Dehing River. This is an annual festival which lasts for 3 days.
• The Dehing Patkai festival was initiated by the Assam Government in 2002 to promote the diverse culture of Assam. The chief guest of the first session of the festival was then President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

 

5. Kaziranga Elephant Festival –

• The Kaziranga elephant festival is a yearly elephant festival held in the Kaziranga National Park of Assam for the conservation and protection of Asiatic elephants.
• It is organised each year in February. The week-long elephant festival is being held at Kaziranga National Park since 2003.

 

6. Moran Bihu –

• The Moran community celebrates Bohag Bihu after seven days of Bohag. They celebrate th bIhu lately to commemorate their king Ramakanta who was killed by then Ahom Queen Kuranganayani.

 

7. Deul –

• In the month of Bohag, the first month of the Assamese calender, Deul is celebrated in various parts of in Assam mainly in Darrang district. The festival is organised to worship Lord Vishnu to keep the inhabitants of the locality safe in the coming year.

 

8. Bhotheli Utsav –

• It is generally celebrated in the lower part of Assam. In the Bohag month, people organise Bhotheli by placing two bamboos side b side. The bamboos are called ‘Paro’. The longer bamboo is called ‘Dora’ and the shorter one is called ‘Koina’.

 

9. Bass Biya or Puja –

• It is celebrated by the Hajongs and Rajbongshis of the Goalpara district.
• Here three bamboos are raised and worshipped following certain rituals.
• Only the male members of the society can participate in this festival.

 

10. Bathou Puja –

• Bathou Puja is celebrated by the Bodo tribe of Assam.
• It symbolizes reproduction and fertility. They consider Sijutree as Bathou Deity and offer Pujas for its pleasure. 
• During Puja the Kherai dance is performed. The Bodo’s believe that the Bathou Puja and Kherai dance enhance the productivity of the land.

 

11. Tithis of Sankardeva and Madhavdeva –

• The tithis of Sankardeva and Madhvdeva are observed in the month of Bhada.
• The tithis of both the Mahapurush are observed in all the Naamghars and Satars of the State.

 

12. Janmastomi –

• Janmastomi is celebrated in Assam on the Krishna Astomi tithi of the month Bhada.
• It is believed that Lord Krishna was born on that day to Vasudev and Doiboki, who was their 8^th child. Later Krishna was taken to the house of Nanda and Yashoda within the night.

 

13. Tusu Puja –

• Tusu Puja is festival celebrated by the tea tribes of Assam.
• It is celebrated to thank the Tusu God for a good harvest.
• It is celebrated in the month of Puh and Maagh.

 

14. Baishagu Festival –

• The Baishagu festival is celebrated with by the Boro Kacharis tribe of Assam.
• The festival is celebrated in the month of April to welcome the New Year.
• The first day of the Baishagu festival begins with the worship of the cow.
• Lord Shiva or Bathou is worshipped on this day by offering chicken and rice beer.

 

15. Ali Ai Ligang festival –

• The Ali-Ai-Ligang festival is celebrated by the Mishing tribe every year.
• The word ‘Ali’ denoted root, ‘Ai’ stands for fruit and ‘Ligang’ means sowing.
• It is celebrated on the first Wednesday of Fagun.
• This festival last for five days. In these days, youth sing Oinitoms and dance Gumraag in the rhythms of Dhol, Pepa, Gagaana and others.

 

16. Porag or Norasiga Bihu –

• This harvest festival is celebrated by the Mising tribe.
• Their harvest season falls in the month of Kaati. After harvesting, they celebrate this Bihu to thank God for a good harvest.

 

17. Eid –

• Eid-ul-fitr is one of the prominent festivals celebrated by the Muslim community of Assam.
• In this festival, fitra or offerings are offered to the poor people of the society.
• Eid-uj-juha which is believed to be a festival of giving up.

 

18. Jonbeel Mela –

• Jonbeel mela is held every year around mid-january usually during the weekend of the Assamese harvest festival Magh Bihu.
• Celebrated in Dayang belguri in Morigaon district of Assam.

 

19. Ambubashi Mela –

• The Ambubashi mela is celebrated every year during the monsoon season which happens to fall in around in the middle of the month of June.
• Also known as Mahakumbh of the East.

 

20. Karam Puja –

• Karam Puja is the most important agricultural festival of Tea tribe communities of Assam.
• This is celebrated usually on Bhado Ekadashi, on the 11^th day of the bright full moon (Purnima) of the month of Bhado (August-September).
• The Karam tree, scientifically named ‘Nauclea Parvifolia’ is the centre of the processings of the festival.
• Karam Puja is relates to Livelihood.

 

21. Rongker & Chomangkan Festival –

• Rongker and Chomangkan are the two most important festivals of the Karbis.
• Rongker is basically a springtime festival and is performed at the beginning of the New Year.
• Chomangkan festival is devoted to dead people. It is actually a death ceremony performed by the Karbis who organise the funeral.
• Chomangkan festival is performed for peace of harmony of the spirits.

 

22. Bare Saharia Bhaona –

• The Bare Saharia Bhaona is a 200-year-old drama festival held eery 5-6 years at Jamurighat in Sonitpur district of Assam.

 

23. Busu Dima –

• Busu Dima (Bishu Dima) is an annual cultutural festival celebrated by the Dimasa Kachari tribe of Assam.
• It is the biggest harvesting festival. It is celebrated after the completion of grain harvest in different villages. The festival is usually organised in January.

 

24. Kherai Puja –

• Kherai is the greatest religious festival of Boros.
• Boros are agriculturalist and their relation with agriculture resonates in their festivals.
• This festival held in the Kaati Mah (October-December).

 

25. Baikho Festival –

• Baikho festival is a festival of Rabha tribe of Assam.
• The Baikho is the principal deity of the Rabhas.
• It is celebrated to bring in auspicious harvest season and to fill it with abundant crops and good health. This is a celebration of good harvest.
• It is celebrated during the month of June.

 

26. Khelchawa festival –

• It is a quinquennial festival i.e. celebrated every five years after harvest season over a period of 4 days.
• Tiwa tribes of Karbi Anglong celebrate this festival.
• The festival celebrates the efforts of young boys becoming an adult.
• This festival is also closely related to agriculture. After the harvesting season is over Tiwa community from Magro clan celebrates Khelchawa festival for good harvest.

 

27. Deodhani Dance –

• Deodhani danxe is of Kachari origin.
• The dance form is associated with the worship of the snake Goddess Marei.
• A Deodhani dance is generally performed to the accompaniment of songs sung by an Ojha, a kachari traditional chorus leader in the Darrang district oof Assam.

 

28. Wangala Festival –

• Wangala is also called the festival of ‘The Hundered Drums’.
• A harvest festival celebrated by the Garo tribe.
• Wangala is celebrated in the months from September to December, with different villages setting different dates for the occasion.
• Garo gives thnanks to ‘Misi Saljon’ , the Sun God.

 

29. Murung Festival –

• Murung is the festival of Prosperity celebrated by the Apatanis of lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh.
• It is celebrated in the month of January or Murung Pillo.

Different Festivals of India

• Tea Festival is celebrated in the month of month December.
• Tea festival is celebrated at Jorhat.
• Shivaratri Puja is celebrated during the month Fagun.
• The marriage ceremony of Ahom in Assam is known as ‘Choklong’.
• In the word ‘Ali Ai Ligang’, ‘Ali’ refers to Root.
• Hauno puja is celebrated by Deori.
• Bah Gosai festival is the most important of Sarania Kachari.
• Tora Chira is a festival of Thengal Kachari.
• Bishu festival is celebrated by Deori.
• Gumraag is a popular dance is performed by the young Mising people.
• Madhabdeva composed 191 Borgeets.
• Sankardeva composed about 240 Borgeets, but a fire destroyed them all and only about 34 of them could be retrieved from memory.
• Between 8^th and 11^th century period Charyapadas were composed.
• Kushan Gaan or Kushan pala is a traditional folk drama form found mainly in Goalpara district of Assam. The artist of this drama narrate the story of Ramayana in Kamtapuri or Rajbongshi language through musical verses. Doars the performers who are called sokra or chokra sing and dance during the performance. The main performer is known as mool or geedal and e narrates the story. Bena, an instrument made of bamboo s used in the performances.
• Mah-ho is celebrated on the full moon day of the month Aghon.
• ‘farkanti’ festival is celebrated by Rabha tribe.
• ‘Phuralung Puja’ is performed by Ahom.
• ‘Borot’ puja is celebrated by the Tiwas.
• ‘Iangling’ is celebrated by the Tiwas.
• ‘Sagramiswa’ puja is celebrated by the Tiwas.
• Dree festival primarily celebrated by the Apatani tribe in Ziro festival. Celebrated during the month of July. Cucumber is distributed to all the attendees as a symbol of good harvest.
• Ziro festival of music is hoseted by Apatani peole in ziro valley.
• Nongkrem dance festival is a dance festival which is also known as ‘shad’ festival. This is an important festival of Khasi tribe of Meghalaya. Celebrated during the month of November. Nongkrem dance performed to seek blessings of Goddess ‘Ka Blei Synshar’ for welfare of the people and a bulky agricultural yield.
• Cheiraoba festival is celebrated in the month of April, on new year according to Manipur tribes. They worship pf domestic deity of ‘Sanamahi’.
• Kang Chingba festival is celebrated in the month July for 8 days, one of the Hindu festivals in Manipur. Similar to Jannath Puri Raath yatra.
• Chapchar Kut is a spring festival celebrated in Mizoram. Celebrated in the month of March. Traditional bamboo dances are performed.
• Kharchi puja is the festival of the royal family of Tripura. Lord Shiva and 14 other deities are worshiped in this puja. This festival is performed for 10 days in the month of July or August.
• Saga Dewa is celebrated by Buddhist communities living in Sikkim.
• Losoong festival is the Skkimise new year festival. Celebrated in the month of December. Traditionally celebrated by Bhutia tribe.
• Hornbil festival is a major agriculture festival of Nagalnd. Begins on 1^st December every year.
• Hemis is the largest monastery (gompa) located in Ladakh. Hemis festival basically related Tibetan Buddhism (Spiritual leader Padmasambhava).
• Tulip festival celebrated in Srinagar. Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Kashmir is the Asia’s largest tulip garden.
• Shikara festival celebrated on Dal Lake in Kashmir.
• Kullu Dussehra is the important festival in Himachal Pradesh. Celebrated in October.
• Losar is the religious festival oof Buddhists in Himachal Pradesh.
• Halda is the festival celebrated by Himachal Pradesh.
• Hola Mihalla is a festival celebrated in Punjab by the Nihang Sikhs to display military powers.
• Gurupurab a celebration related to the lives of Sikhs Gurus, typically their birth or death anniversary.
• Baishakhi festival celebrated in Punjab.
• Lohri festival celebrated in Punjab.
• Kumbh Mela is the most popular festival of Uttarakhand.
• Phool Dei is the harvest festival of Uttarakhand.
• Harela is the Hindu festival of Uttarakhand.
• Pongal is the most famous festival of Tamil Nadu. It is the harvest festival that lasts for four fays and is celebrated in the middle of January.
• Jallikattu a traditional event in Tamil Nadu which a bull is released into a crowd of people and multiple human participants attempt to grab the large hump on the bulls back with both arms and hang into it while the bull attempts to escape.
• Onam is the most important festival of Kerala celebrated in the month of September.
• Alpashi Utsavam celebrated in Kerala. (Worship Sree Padmanabhaswamy).
• Bonalu is the Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Mahakali celebrated in Telangana.
• Batukamma nine days log floral festival celebrated in Telangana.
• Brahmotsavam is nine days long festival at the Venkaeshwara temple, Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.
• Khandoba festival or Champa Shashthi is a six days festival of Lord Shiva celebrated in Maharashtra.
• Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is also known as Gundicha Yatra, Chariot festival celebrated in Odisha.
• Nukahai festival is the harvesting festival held in months of August and September celebrated in Odisha.
• Hal Punhya festival celebrated in Jharkhand.
• Bastar Dussehra is celebrated in Chhattisgarh. It is the longest Dussehra in the world. It is celebrated for 75 days from August to October.
• Bhagoria Haat festival is celebrated in Madhya Pradesh. Tribal festival of Malwa region. Young girls and boys try to entice each other and if booth like each other, then they put red powder on their partners face.
• Malwa Utsav is celebrated in Madhya Pradesh.
• Kicheri is celebrated in Uttar Pradesh.
• Gangaur is celebrated in Rajasthan.
• Camel festival, Elephant festival, and international kite festival celebrated in Rajastha.
• Uttrayan festival celebrated in Gujarat. Celebrated to mark the transit of Sun northwards from tropic of Capricorn to tropic of cancer.