Bihu is the most important festival of Assam. It is celebrated with joy and abundance by all Assamese people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith and belief. Bihu can be broadly divided into three categories: Bohag Bihu which augurs the wish for a good harvest because this is the time when farmers start sowing, Kaati Bihu which is observed to mark the cutting and binding of grains and Magh Bihu which marks the season of harvesting of grains.
Of all the festivals that are celebrated in Assam, the Bihu festivals are the most important one and it is celebrated by all the Assamese people no matter what their caste, creed, religion and faith might be. The Bihu festivals are broadly classified into Rongali, Bhogali and Kangali Festivals.
Spring festival or Rongali celebrated in the middle of March which mark the beginning of agricultural season. The Bhogali or the harvesting festival which is celebrated during January are characterized by a community feast, buffalo fight and other such entertainment. Lastly, the Kangali is an another tamer version of the festivals celebrated in the middle of October marking the completion of sowing and transplanting of paddies.
The festivals often characterized by songs and dance by a group of performers and observed with such joy and pomp. Songs are sung on love and sometimes have erotic overtones. The performers have traditional dresses like the Dhoti, Gamocha, Chadar and Mekhala(Indian clothes). Hips swayings, brisk steps, flinging and flipping of hands are usually done in these dances.
Tea Festival (November)
It is celebrated in Jorhat by Assam Tourism in the month of November and mainly focused on tea, music and merriment. During this festival the people visiting the festival will be able to enjoy the traditional hospitality, jungle safaris, tea garden visits, golf, local cuisine, rafting, angling and cultural extravaganza.