Bhogali Bihu Poem by Geetima Baruah Sarma

'Bhogali Bihu' is a harvest festival of Assam, a state of north-east India. The festival is celebrated in mid-January, marking the end of the harvest season. 'Bhogali' means feasting and enjoyment. It is also known as 'Magh Bihu' as celebrations are held in the month of 'Magh', the tenth month of the Assamese calendar. On the eve known as 'Uruka', people gather for a community feast with friends and families. A variety of dishes that include meat and fish are cooked over wood flame. Using bamboo and paddy, a temporary hut called 'Bhelaghar' and a tall structure known as 'Meji' are built. Merriment continues throughout the night as youths play pranks like stealing vegetables from the neighbour’s garden. Next morning, offerings are made to the God of fire and people enjoy the traditional delicacies like 'sunga pitha', 'kaath aloo' etc.