On Saturday Union Minister and BJP candidate from Dibrugarh Sarbananda
Sonowal, participated in the Bihu celebrations in Tinsukia, Assam, marking the
start of Rongali Bihu in the state.
According to the media reports, Sonowal highlighted the cultural
significance of Bihu. ‘This festival is very significant for all Assamese people. We
perform Gau puja to maintain positivity in our lives, said Sonowal.
He said, ‘During this festival, we also fulfil our responsibilities
towards animals. The cow holds importance in our lives, as it plays a crucial
role in maintaining the safety of our environment and ecology.
The week-long celebration of Rongali Bihu started in
Assam on Saturday, with Goru Bihu, a day dedicated to honouring livestock. People living in rural areas mostly follow this
tradition. Goru Bihu signifies the start of the seven-day-long Bohag Bihu or
Rongali Bihu.
It falls on the last day of Chot, the
final month in the Assamese calendar, just before the start of Bohag, the first
month. The next day marks the beginning
of the New Year on the Assamese calendar. During Goru Bihu, cattle, are honored
with traditional rituals. Owners take their cattle to nearby rivers or ponds
for a bath and apply a paste made of black lentils and fresh turmeric.
To prevent infections and keep flies away, the leaves of dighalati
(litsea salicifolia) and makhioti (flemingia strobilifera) are applied to the
cattle’s skin.
They are also fed a mixture of local vegetables such as bottle
gourd and eggplant to improve their health. Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu, is celebrated with enthusiasm
throughout Assam. It signifies the start of ‘Xaat Bihu’ a week-long celebration
filled with cultural events, traditional customs, and delicious food.
