Assam is a land of fairs and festivals. Most of the festivals
celebrated in Assam have their roots in the diverse faith and belief of her
inhabitants, but a spirit of accommodation and togetherness characterizes
the celebration of all festivals.
The perfect fusion of heritage of her numerous races has made Assam the
home of the most colorful festivals which are passionate, compelling and
mesmerizing reflecting the true spirit, tradition and lifestlye of the
people of Assam.
Five festivals are organised by the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Assam,
every year to encourage tourists to visit Assam. They are given below:
Brahmaputra Beach Festival
The Assam Boat Racing & Rowing Association, Guwahati organizes
Brahmaputra Beach Festival on sandy beach of the mighty river Brahmaputra in
association with Tourism Department, Govt. of Assam with various colourful
cultural activities and adventure sports every year. This time the festival
will be held from 14-18 January, 2004.
Dehing Patkai Festival
This festival in eastern Assam derives its name from the lofty Patkai range
and the playful Dehing river. It is a heady cocktail of ethnic fairs,
golfing, tea heritage tours, adventures sports, wildlife excursion and
down-mwmory-lane trips to World War II cemeteries and the Stilwell Road,
once the passage to the golden land of Myanmar. It is organized in the month
of January every year.
Tea
Festival
Celebrated every year in Jorhat, this festival is all about tea, music and
merriment. A world of festivity with traditional hospitality, jungle
safaris, tea garden visits, golf, local cuisine, rafting in turbulent
rivers, angling, shopping and cultural extravaganza. A harmonious blend of
business and pleasure. Come and meet the warm hearted people of Assam and
savour Assam's beauty and cultural diversity. A century old Tea Planters'
Golf Club
Elephant Festival
For conservation and protection of Asiatic elephant a festival is organized
every year at Kaziranga National Park jointly by the Forest Department and
Tourism Department, Govt. of Assam. This year the festival will be held from
30th January to 1st February with various activities by domestic elephants
and various cultural programmes.
Ambubashi Mela
Is the most important festival of Kamakhya temple of Guwahati and is held
every year during monsoon (mid-June). It is a ritual of austerities
celebrated with 'Tantric rites'. It is a common belief that the reigning
diety, 'Kamakhya' , 'The Mother Shakti' goes through her annual cycle of
menstruation during this period.
During Ambubashi the doors of the temple remain closed for three days. It
is believed that the earth becomes impure for three days. During this time
no farming work is undertaken. Daily worship and other religious
performances are suspended during this period. After three days, the temple
doors are reopened after the Goddess is bathed and other rituals performed.
It is believed that the mother earth regains her purity now. This is purely
a ritual of Tantric cult.
Ambubachi mela is held at the Kamakhya temple, after being closed for the
afore-mentioned three days. On the fourth day only the devotees are allowed
to enter inside the temple for worship. Thousands of devotees from all over
India visit this mela.
Bohaggiyo Bishu
This is the most fascinating spring festival of the Deoris of Assam, one of
the four divisions of the Chutiyas, who are believed to have been members of
the great Boro race. The term 'Bishu' might have originated from the Chutiya
word 'Bishu'. 'Bi' means extreme and 'Su' means 'rejoicing' like other
Springtime tribal festivals.
Bohaggiyo Bishu is also observed during mid-April at a stretch for seven
days with unrestricted joy and merrymaking. It is to be observed that the
Deoris Bishu do not always fall on the Sankranti Day. The Bishu must be
preceded by a 'Than puja' and evidently it must start on a Wednesday. There
is much socio-religious significance and arrangements to be made before the
puja. Once in every four years a white buffalo is sacrificed which is
considered a substitute for the traditional human sacrifice. The Deodhani
dance is the most important and significant part of the festival. Husori or
carol song party is the main attraction.
