‘Bihu’ - this only word can literally make every Assamese and non-Assamese dance in joy and grandeur as this is one of the most important and wonderful festivals of Assam where all people irrespective of caste, status, and color enjoy together with foods, delicious “pithas” and dance of course.
And January is the month of harvest for every Assamese people as this month marks the end of their harvesting which they celebrate with eating and enjoyment and so it is marked as “Magh or Bhogali” Bihu. Also known as ‘Makar Sankranti’ where feasting continues for nearly a week. People enjoy the night by making mouth-watering pithas, ladoos, til pitha, malpua, and many more. Food is the only source of enjoyment in this festival of Bihu.
On the eve of Bihu, men from every family gather together and make a house known as ‘Bhelaghor’ where they do picnic all night, and then the next morning they burn the Bhelaghor which is also named ‘Meji’ by throwing pithas and betel nuts to the fire and worshipping the God of fire and marking the end of the harvesting season.
Magh Bihu is also a festival where people invite other families to their homes for having pithas and other snacks. In Magh Bihu, there is also a ritual of showing respect to the elders by offering Gamosas. Overall, this festival brings joy to everyone's lives where various types of delicious foods and jolpan were served to everyone.
Divine foods that are prepared during Magh/Bhogali Bihu
Bhogali Bihu is incomplete without food as different types of snacks and pithas make the entire celebration of Bihu grand and amazing. Also, people dance to Bihu songs and eat delicious delicacies with full enjoyment and grandeur. Some of the common dishes that were prepared during the Magh Bihu are:
Til Pitha
Til Pitha is one of the common dishes that is prepared in every Assamese or non-Assamese home. The main ingredients used are rice flour, jaggery, til, and sugar. It turns out to be very delicious and divine.
Narikol Ladu or Coconut Ladu
Coconut laddu is another mouth-watering snack that is prepared during the Magh month. The main ingredient used here is Coconut and sugar. It is widely used in the Bihu celebrations.
Til Ladu
Til laddu is made by mixing til, jaggery and sugar and making them into round balls. It is liked by all and is quite in demand among all as it tastes really good.
Murir Ladu
Murir Ladu is also widely made by mixing Muri, jaggery, and sugar. This Ladu can be made at any time as murir ladu are often served with evening tea as snacks. Whereas, during Bihu, it becomes a part of the delicacies prepared by our mothers at home.
More such variety of foods was prepared during Bhogali Bihu celebrations but these weer some of the most common items prepared which are liked by everyone. Bihu is, therefore, a festival not only of joy and fun but also of food and feasting.
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