Kongali Bihu

Kongali Bihu is one of the three major Bihus of Assam, but unlike Rongali and Bhogali, it carries a quiet and spiritual tone. Celebrated at a time when crops are still growing and granaries are relatively empty, it reflects the sense of austerity and hope for prosperity. Families light diyas (earthen lamps) near the tulsi plant, in their homes, and around paddy fields to ward off evil and seek blessings for a bountiful harvest. Farmers also place lamps in granaries as a prayer for food security. The festival also involves chanting of mantras, prayers to ancestors, and community observances of simplicity and restraint.

Where it’s celebrated in India:

Primarily celebrated across Assam, with smaller observances by Assamese communities in neighboring northeastern states and metropolitan cities where Assamese diaspora reside.