Bhogali Bihu, sometimes called Magh Bihu, is a harvest celebration held in January. Its relevance to Assamese culture and history stems from its vital role in agriculture and fertility. It also signals the shift from winter to warmer weather. Farmers' granaries are full after the harvest, and there is a festive atmosphere all around. It is celebrated almost as enthusiastically as Bohag Bihu, the state's most well-known Bihu celebration.
Magh Bihu coincides with the Hindu festivals of Pongal and Makar Sankranti in various parts of India. In Assam, the first day of Magh Bihu is referred to as Uruka or Bihu Eve. The word Uruka, derived from the Deori-Chutia word Urukuwa, meaning "to end," symbolises the end of the harvesting season and the Pausha month. On this day, ladies prepare for the next day with foods such as Chira, Pitha, Laru, and curd.
Bhuj (from Sanskrit "Bhojana") refers to a communal or family feast held late at night. Different indigenous communities also produce their own kinds of rice beer, which go by a variety of names. For example, the Chutias refer to it as Chuji, the Tai-Ahom as Nam-Lao, the Bodos as Zou, and the Missing Tribe as Aapong. The rice utilised and the manner of brewing may differ slightly from location to region, but rice is always the primary ingredient. As a result, there will be small variations in flavour and alcohol concentration.
Following the Uruka feast, people spend the night in the fields in temporary huts known as Bhelaghar. It is common for the village's youth to spend the night in the Bhelaghars, where they can warm themselves by the fire and eat the vegetables they steal from the inhabitants' homes.
On Magh Bihu, everyone gets up early, takes a shower, and then walks to where the sacred Meji is set up. A senior member of the community or village lights the Meji. The Meji, also known as the Hindu God of Fire (Agni Devta), is appeased with offerings of coconuts and betel nuts, among other things. Mitha aloo and muwa aloo, two potato variants, are two of the most popular dishes prepared over the large Meji fire and relished by people of all ages.
Cockfights, buffalo races, nightingale contests, and egg throwing are among the sporting events that attract spectators on this day. Magh Bihu celebrations encompass all of this and more. This occasion is highly valued in Assamese culture because it has been celebrated for hundreds of years. It's a time when people may gather to appreciate nature's bounty, strengthening their friendships and resulting in a more unified society. It's an excellent way to create solidarity and camaraderie among people who have gone through similar experiences.
