Villagers in Batiapara, in the Bongaigaon district, are doing everything they can to celebrate the holiday in the most traditional manner as Assam prepares for the much anticipated Bihu festival. Construction is almost finished on the community’s customary “bhelaghor” (temporary hut) in anticipation of the Uruka night, when families assemble for the lavish feast.
The Assamese New Year begins with the agricultural celebration of Bihu, which has strong ties to the farming community. For the people of Batiapara, the celebration of this event is about more than just food and revelry; it’s about respecting rural customs and coming together as a community. In order to construct the bhelaghor, the people have been working hard. Families would congregate in the bhelaghor on Uruka to partake in a festive supper that includes Assamese specialties like pithas, which are traditional rice cakes.
With participation from young children to the elderly, the event seeks to deepen the ties that bind family and community. It is anticipated that the construction, which has the backing of every villager, will highlight the best aspects of Assamese rural life and foster harmony and solidarity among the locals over the holiday season.