Rongali Bihu celebrations kick off in Assam with Goru Bihu complete with traditions and practices

The week-long celebration of Rongali Bihu began across Assam on Saturday, April 13, with Goru Bihu, a day dedicated to honouring livestock.

This tradition is mainly observed by rural residents. Goru Bihu marks the first day of the seven-day-long Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu. It falls on the last day of the month of Chot, the final month on the Assamese calendar, before the commencement of Bohag, the first month.

The following day signifies the start of the new year on the Assamese calendar. On Goru Bihu, livestock, particularly cattle, are treated with traditional rituals. Owners take their cattle to nearby rivers or ponds for a bath, and apply a paste of black lentils and fresh turmeric.

To prevent infections and repel flies, leaves of dighalati (litsea salicifolia) and makhioti (flemingia strobilifera) are slapped on the cattle's skin. The cattle are also fed a mix of local vegetables like bottle gourd and eggplant to promote their health.

Old tethering ropes are replaced with new ones on this day. Reports of Goru Bihu celebrations were received from across the state, with farmers bathing their cows in accordance with traditional practices.

Also read: Manipur: Special arrangements made for 5000 voters displaced in ethnic violence, security heightened