Assam

Rajni Gabra and Harni Gabra are the annual festivals of the colourful Dimasa tribe. It is exclusively a socio-religious festival, which is generally observed before the starting of new cultivation.Rajni Gabra is celebrated during the daytime. The 'Kunang' or the village headman propitiates family deity by closing the village gate on the puja day. The same night the function called 'Harni Gabra' is performed where the presiding deity is worshipped for the protection and welfare of the people.

The Mishing people in Assam are one of the most colourful tribe characterized by separate tradition and culture. These people have no dearth of occasions to showcase their rich culture at regular intervals. Have you ever heard of Ali Aye Ligang? They celebrate the agriculrture-based festival in February to mark the advent of spring. Literally, Ali Aye Ligang means first sowing of seeds. Since fruits and roots are believed to have been their staple source of food during their days in the hillside, they observed the occasion with much pomp and gaiety.

The Kamrup district of Assam observes the Bhatheli utsav, the events to mark the junction two months in traditional Assamese calendar. The first one event takes place in mid April simultaneously with the Rongali Bihu. This is what their spring festival. The farmers who live on the banks of the rivers Barnadi and Manas implant a tall bamboo in the fields. Then they sacrifice black goat and pigeon inside a small hut to ensure their safety. The peasant fraternity in the downstream areas also organize huge fair to mark the occasion.  

Me-dam-me-phi, the name of a festival in Assam is celebrated with no less pomp and gaiety. The Ahoms in the north eastern state celebrate the day long festival to pay homage to the ancestors in January. Literally, in Tai Ahom language ‘Me’ means worship, ‘Dam’ means the dead, and ‘Phi’ stands for God. This is what the ancestor worship among the Ahoms. This is what the manifestation ancestor worship concept by the Ahoms who are said to have been living in some other parts of the south Asian countries.

Raas leela, is a popular Hindu autumnal festival in Assam along with some parts in Manipur where the various events involving the Lord Krishna are presented in the form of performing art. The festival of socio cultural significance falls on the full moon day of October-November. On this day, the Lord Krishna had his most glittering moments with the sporting women in Gokul beside the river Yamuna. With his mesmerizing tune of flute, the ever youthful boy herd boy in Vrindabon forced the local women to dance and play with Him under the moonlight. Precisely, that’s Raas Leela.

February in Assam is a season of student fraternity. Just after the biting cold the students find it an occasion to appease the goddess Saraswati. That’s why, the celebrate Saraswati puja with much pomp and gaiety. The event falls on the Basant panchami day where the student seek divine help from the goddess of knowledge. The event is widely observed in all schools and colleges apart from the clubs and hostels throughout the day. Boys and girls offer pujas before the idol chanting hymns seeking Her help. Then they take special stuff.

Assam, the land of colourful culture has no dearth of festivals to showcase its unity in diversity. Kali puja is a Hindu festival. But it does not confine to the people of a particular faith. People belonging to other faiths also join the autumnal event where devotees offer puja to the goddess which is mandatory for the Durga devotees. This event is performed in a big way in Assam along with other parts of the country simultaneously with Diwali in mid-October and mid-November.