Bihu dancers perform during the celebration of Rongali Bihu festival in Gawahati. (PTI Phtoto)
Celebrations began today Assam as people took part in the state's most colourful festival of song and dance, Rongali Bihu, with gaiety and fervour.
Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year. It starts on the last day of the month of Chot (Chaitra), which was yesterday.
The first day of Rongali Bihu is dedicated to cattle and is celebrated as 'Goru Bihu'.
People, particularly the farming community, take their cattle to the rivers, ponds and other water bodies and give them a ceremonial bath, rubbing them with turmeric paste and other herbs. The cattle are tied with a new 'pogha' (rope) and fed brinjal and gourd.
The actual celebration started today, the first day of the Assamese New Year and the month of Bohag.
The Bohag Bihu celebrations continues for at least seven days, and sometimes throughout the month of Bohag in many places.
Musical concerts and competitions are organised across the state. In main city Guwahati too, song and dance competitions are held.
This year, over 150 such functions are being organised by clubs and cultural organisations in Guwahati.