Guwahati:
Traditional songs, dance and merrymaking marked the first day of the week-long Rongali Bihu, the most colourful festival of Assam.
In Assam, the Rongali Bihu starts on the last day of the 'Chot' (the month of Chaitra) month, which is Sunday. The first day of the Bihu is dedicated to the cattle and is celebrated as 'Goru Bihu', when cattle are given ceremonial bath in rivers and ponds, tied with new ropes, rubbed with turmeric paste and worshipped.
The actual celebration of the Rongali Bihu will start from Monday, which is also the first day of the Assamese New Year starting with the month of Bohag.
People wear new clothes and younger people seek blessings from the elders and head of the family so that the New Year brings prosperity, good health and good luck.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi formally inaugurated the Bihu celebrations at the Latasil playground in Assam's main city Guwahati Sunday.
Gogoi, accompanied by his son Gaurav Gogoi, not only wished the people of the state on the occasion but also danced for a while with children at the Latasil playground.
Assam Governor J.B. Patnaik also greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Rongali Bihu.
Large number of people also came out to the Latasil playground here and in other districts of the state to take part in the Bihu celebrations, which will continue for next seven days.
People and the Bihutolis (venues where Bihu programmes are organised) were seen organising traditional games of the state to celebrate Bihu in its true spirit.