Fairs & Festival

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.

Brahmaputra Beach Festival
Coinciding with Magh Bihu, the Assamese harvest festival, this event offers you a scintillating outdoor experience. Held on the beautiful, white riverine beaches of the river Brahmaputra, it is a perfect blend of traditional contests like elephant race, kite flying and modern adventure sports like wind surfing, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, para-dropping, hot air ballooning, beach volley ball and beach cricket.

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.

Bihu
Marking the beginning of agricultural season is Assam's most important festival Bihu. It is celebrated during mid-April with much pomp and gaiety.

Baishagu
Famous for its myriad colours and merriment, 'Baishagu' is generally celebrated by the Bodo Kacharis during mid April. It is the most cherished festival of the Bodo tribe and heralds the New Year. The Bodos also celebrate it as a springtime festival at the advent of the new year.

The first day begins with worship of the cow. The next day which synchronises with the first day of the month of 'Bohag' of the Assamese almanac, the actual merriment begins with the young people of each household reverentialy bowing down to their parents and elders. The supreme deity 'Bathou' or Lord Shiva is worshipped during the festival by offering chicken and rice beer.

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. The festival includes many activities by domestic elephants and various cultural programmes.

Ali-ai-ligang
Ali-ai-ligang is the colourful annual festival of Mishing tribe. It is held on the first Wednesday of the month of 'Ginmur Polo' (February-March). The ceremonial sowing of paddy starts on this day.

Rongker
Rongker, the most important festival of the Karbis, is celebrated in April to propitiate different gods and goddesses for the well being of the entire village.

Me-Dum-Me-Phi
The most important Ahom festival which deserves mention is the Me-Dum-Me-Phi, i.e., the ancestor worship festival which is observed by the whole Ahom community. This is performed annually on the 31st of January at some common venue. This in a way helps to develop social contacts and community feelings among the Ahoms. Colourful processions with devotees in traditional finery are also taken out on the occasion.

Rajini Gabra & Hami Gabra
Rajini Gabra & Hami Gabra is an annual festival of Dimasa tribe. This socio-religious festival is celebrated before starting new cultivation.

Baikho
The Rabha tribe celebrates the Baikho festival during the spring season in order to propitiate the goddess of wealth ' Baikho' .

Bohaggiyo Bishu
Bohaggiyo Bishu, the spring festival of the Deoris - one of the four divisions of Chutia tribe, is fascinating.

Jonbeel Mela
This spectacular fair(mela) is held every year during winter at Jonbeel of Jagiroad, a lesser known township only 32 kms from Guwahati. A few days before the mela, tribes like the Tiwas, Karbis, Khasis, Jaintias from the Meghalaya hills come down with their various products for this mela. On the occasion of the 'mela' a big bazar is held here where these tribes exchange thier products with local people in barter system which is very rare in a civilized modern society.

Before the 'mela' they perform fire worship or agni puja for the well being of mankind. It is to be noted that during this mela the 'govaraja' or the king of the Tiwa trbe along with his courtiers visit this mela and collect taxes from his subjects. The significant point of this mela is its theme of harmony and brotherhood amongst various tribes and communities. During the 'mela' these communities perform their traditional dances and music to celebrate the mela in a befitting manner.

Ambubashi Mela
Ambubashi, the most important festival of Kamakhya temple, is celebrated in mid-June every year. Thousands of devotees throng the temple on this auspicious occasion.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.

Tea Festival
Celebrated with pomp and show during January - February. 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.

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