Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal led the festivities as Assam resonated with the vibrant celebrations of Magh Bihu, the annual harvest festival. The heartwarming ceremony featured the ceremonial burning of the traditional Meji bonfire, symbolizing the culmination of the harvesting season.
Expressing the cultural and religious significance of Magh Bihu, Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted its deep-rooted connection to Assamese culture. He emphasized that the festival, celebrated for generations, serves as a crucial identity marker for the Assamese people. Farmers, who toil throughout the year, witness the fruition of their hard work during this auspicious occasion.
Minister Sonowal underscored the festival’s role in fostering a strong sense of communityhood. He urged the younger generation to grasp the importance of Magh Bihu and recognize its cultural and communal value. The festivities serve as a platform for communities to unite and offer prayers for a prosperous year ahead.
Magh Bihu falls on the first day of the Magh month as per the Assamese calendar. Dedicated to Agni, the Lord of Fire, Magh Bihu is Assam’s version of Sankranti. The week-long revelry involves feasts and bonfires, commencing a day before Magh Bihu. Uruka, the day preceding Magh Bihu, witnesses the erection of makeshift huts called Meji, constructed from bamboo, leaves, and thatch.
