Bihu Festival — All Three Bihus Explained for ADRE 2027

IshaAI Team9 min read30 March 2026

Bihu — Quick Overview

Bihu is celebrated 3 times a year and is Assam's most important cultural festival.

Rongali/Bohag Bihu — April (mid-April). New Year, spring, sowing season
Bhogali/Magh Bihu — January (mid-January). Harvest feast, meji burning
Kongali/Kati Bihu — October (mid-October). Lamp festival, lean season
Bihu dance (Bihu Naas) is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (2023)

Exam Tip: Match each Bihu to its month: Rongali=April, Bhogali=January, Kongali=October.

Common Trap: Students confuse Rongali with Bhogali. Remember: Rongali=Ring in New Year=April.

The Three Bihus of Assam

Bihu is not one festival but three — each marking a different agricultural season in Assam.

1. Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu) — April

When: Mid-April (April 14-15), coinciding with the Assamese New Year

Significance: Celebrates spring and the beginning of the sowing season. 'Rongali' means festive or joyful.

Traditions: Husori (singing groups), Bihu Naas (dance), decorating livestock with turmeric (Goru Bihu).

2. Bhogali Bihu (Magh Bihu) — January

When: Mid-January (January 13-15)

Significance: End of harvest. 'Bhogali' from 'Bhog' (feast) — time of abundance.

Traditions: Building Meji (bamboo structure burned at dawn), community feasting, making til pitha, laru.

3. Kongali Bihu (Kati Bihu) — October

When: Mid-October (October 14-15)

Significance: Lean season when granaries are nearly empty. 'Kongali' means poor.

Traditions: Lighting earthen lamps (saki) in paddy fields. No dancing — a quiet, prayerful festival.

Bihu Dance

The Bihu dance is performed during Rongali Bihu with dhol, pepa (buffalo horn flute), and gogona (jaw harp). Recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2023.

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