Fairs in Assam

Assam is a land of fairs and festivals. Most of the festivals celebrated in Assam characterize the spirit of accommodation and togetherness in the diverse faith and belief of her inhabitants. This perfect fusion of heritage of her numerous races has made Assam the home of the most colorful festivals reflecting the true spirit, tradition and lifestlye of the people of Assam.

The major festivals celebrated in Assam are Bihu, Baishagu, Ali-Ai-Ligang, Baikho, Rongker, Rajini Gabra Harni Gabra, Bohaggiyo Bishu, Ambubashi Mela and Jonbill Mela and so on.

The people of Assam also celebrate Holi, Durga Puja, Diwali, Swaraswati Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Idd, Muharram, Me-Dam-Me-Phi, the birth and death anniversaries of Vaishnava Saints Srimanta Sankardev and Madhabdev.

The tribals of Assam have their own colourful festivals like the Kherai Puja of the Bodos, the Baikhu and Pharkantis of the Rabhas, Ali-ai-ligang and Parag of the Mishing tribe, the Sagra-misawa wansawa and laghun of the Tiwas.

Bihu
The most important festivals of Assam are the Bihus, celebrated with joy and abundance by all Assamese people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith and belief. In a year there are three Bihu festivals known as Rongali, bhogali and Kangali. The most important and colourful of the three Bihu festival is the Spring festival "Bohag Bihu" or Rangali Bihu celebrated in the middle of April. This also initiates the agricultural season. The merriments include dances accompanied on the wild and lusty beats of Dhol and Pepa (buffalo hornpipe). Songs sung in this Bihu are woven around themes of love and often carry erotic overtones. People adorn traditional attires like Dhoti, Gamocha and Chadar, Mekhala.

Bihu dances performed by young boys and girls characterised by brisk stepping, flinging and flipping of hands and swaying of hips represents youthful passion, reproductive urge and 'Joie-de-vivre'.

The Magh or the Bhogali Bihu, the harvesting festival is celebrated in January by community feast, buffalo fight and such other entertainment, compared to "Rongali" and Bhogali Bihu, "Kati Bihu" is a tame affair celebrated in the month of Kartika. Tribal groups like the Misings the Deoris and the Morans celebrate "Bihu" with dances of their own distinctive style. In more recent time Assam saw a fairly large scale migration of people from other parts of India, the Santhals, Gonds, Mundas and others from Bihar, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh, brought as indentured laboures for tea gardens also carried with them distinct cultural heritage which blossomed forth in exotic festivals like Tusu Puja, Sarak Puja, Karam Puja and captivating dance like Jhumur.

Tea Festival
The Tea festival organised by Assam Tourism in the month of November is a unique experience. One cannot miss this festival which offers holidays combining visits to Tea Gardens, Golf and River Cruises. A visit to the "Guwahati Tea Auction Center" (GTAC) in Guwahati, the largest in India is a must.

Ambubasi Mela
This festival is organised every year during monsoon period at the Kamakhya temple of Guwahati. The fair attracts thousands of devotees from all over the nation. Ambubasi is closely related to the Tantrik rituals that are performed during this festival. The legend associated with the fair is that this period comes during menstrual cycle of Goddess Kamakhya. On the occasion, the temple remains close for first three days and devotees can worship the Goddess only on the fourth day. etc