Assam celebrates Kati Bihu festival

•  Assam's third Bihu festival, known as Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu, was being celebrated across the state.

Kati Bihu:

• The Kati or Kangali Bihu is also closely related to agriculture. Kati Bihu is celebrated on the first day 'Kati' month in Assamese calendar.
• Kati bihu is also called Kangali, "Kongal" means "Poor" because there is not much to eat at this time of the year.
• On the occasion of Kati Bihu, women, both in urban and rural areas, try to ward off evil and pray for a rich harvest by lighting earthen lamps.
• As a part of the festival, farmers also tie a special kind of lamp, known as Akash Bati, to poles and the poles are placed in the paddy fields.
• This Bihu is celebrated in the evening time by lighting lamps or candles, Saaki, in various places. People of Assam (particularly ladies) worship, pray and welcome Goddess Lakshmi home, lighting earthen mustard oil lamps in the fields where paddy is growing, in front of the sacred Tulasi plant, store (bharal ghar) etc.
• This formal procedure continues for a whole month. Tulshi plant is very auspicious in Hinduism. In paddy fields, there is a special type of lamp lit up which is called 'Akaxh Banti'(Sky candle). These lamps are lit up high on the tips of tall bamboo.
• The cultivators pray for the good health of their crops. Scientifically, these lamps used to attract insects of the paddy fields and they fall prey into the fire of these lamps. This helps the crops to be healthy and free from insects.
  
   

By: Ziyaur Rahman