Bhogali Bihu is a socio-cultural custom and identity of the Assamese people: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal greeted the people of Assam on the occasion of Bhogali Bihu and described it as a socio-cultural custom and identity of the Assamese people.

Speaking to the media, the Union Minister said, "It is a social and cultural custom and identity of the Assamese people. An identity of a person is created by the festivals he celebrates handed over by their ancestors thousands of years ago... Prayers are performed with friends and family. It is called Bhogali Bihu... It is known by different names across the country. Some call it Lohri, Pongal or Makar Sankranti..."

Bhogali Bihu, also known as Magh Bihu, is a festival that embodies the socio-cultural ethos of the Assamese people. Celebrated with fervour in mid-January, during the local month of Magh, it marks the culmination of the harvesting season. The festival's name, Bhogali, is derived from the Assamese word 'Bhog', which means feasting and enjoyment, reflecting the spirit of abundance and merriment that characterizes the celebrations.

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Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal recently participated in the Bhogali Bihu festivities by burning the traditional Assamese Meji, a bonfire symbolizing the fire god Agni, in Guwahati on January 15. 

This act is a testament to the festival's deep agricultural roots and its significance in giving thanks for the bountiful harvest. The burning of the Meji is followed by community feasts, where people indulge in an array of culinary delights, showcasing Assam's rich gastronomic heritage.

The festival is not just a harvest celebration but also a time for social bonding. Communities come together, reinforcing their cultural identity and shared values. 
The night before the main event, known as Uruka, is spent in communal revelry with makeshift huts called Bhelaghar being erected in fields, where people gather to eat, sing Bihu songs, and engage in traditional games.

Bhogali Bihu is one of the three Bihu festivals unique to Assam, each associated with different phases of the agricultural cycle. While Rongali or Bohag Bihu celebrates the Assamese New Year and the onset of spring, Kongali or Kati Bihu is observed during a period of scarcity. Bhogali Bihu, however, is the most indulgent, celebrating the harvest's conclusion with feasts and joyous gatherings.

The festival's significance extends beyond its agricultural ties, serving as a vibrant expression of Assamese culture. It features the Bihu dance, an energetic performance that emulates the seasonal spirit and fertility, and Bihu songs that resonate with themes of nature and social life.

In contemporary times, Bhogali Bihu continues to be a unifying force among the Assamese people, transcending religious and social divides. 

It is a living tradition that not only honours the land's bounty but also strengthens the socio-cultural fabric of Assam, making it an integral part of the state's identity as highlighted by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's participation in the celebrations.