Kati Bihu: Kati Bihu is considered to be the onset of the winter season and is related to a lack of food. Hence, it is also called Kongali (poor) Bihu.
Kati Bihu 2024 Date
Kati Bihu is observed on the first day of the seventh month of the Assamese calendar.
Kati Bihu 2024 is marked on October 18.
Assam people celebrate three Bihu festivals every year: Bhogali or Magh Bihu in January month, Bohag or Rongali Bihu in April, and Kati or Kongali Bihu in the month of October.
All these three festivals are a celebration of agriculture. The first two observe the dates of the harvest season while the Kati Bihu marks the relocation of the rice sapling.
Kati Bihu History and Significance
Kati Bihu is a celebration of solemnity due to food scarcity during this month. Since Assam is basically an agricultural state, and rice is their staple food, the Bihu festival is celebrated among the Assamese community.
Magh Bihu is considered to be the good harvest festival, Rongali Bihu is the sowing festival, and Kati Bihu is the festival of crop protection and worshipping of crops and plants.
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Kati Bihu Celebrations
On Kati Bihu, people worship the Tulsi plant and light Diyas in front of it. They also light the lamps in the garden, paddy fields, and granaries, and pray for a good harvest. The lamp holds a special significance, it is known as “Akash Banti” and is also tied to the poles that are placed in the paddy field.
To protect the paddy fields from pests and evil eyes, the farmers rotate a bamboo piece by reciting some spells. It is believed that on this night, the spirits come to Earth from heaven and those lamps show them the way.
During the whole month of Kati, Assamese worship the Tulsi plant with an earthen lamp.
