Fairs and Festivals of Assam
¤ Bihu Festivals
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.
¤ Ambubasi Mela (June)
This festival is dedicated to the goddess of Kamakhya and celebrated
at Kamakhya temple of Guwahati. It is believed that the deity,
Kamakhya have her menstrual period during this period. Thousands of
pilgrims come to the temple when the tantrik rituals is performed.
¤ Jonbeel Mela (Winter)
Jonbeel of Jagiroad, a township only 32 kms from Guwahati, host the
most interesting fairs in Assam. Tribes and communities like Tiwa,
Karbi, Khasi, Jaintia brought products for this mela and system of
Barter is carried out during this festival. Traditional dances and
music of each community is performed but the score of this mela is the
feeling of harmony and brotherhood among the various communities.
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