Assam registered its name in the Guinness Book of World Records on Thursday by organizing the largest Bihu dance in a single premises.
For the purpose of creating a world record, 11 thousand young men and women performed Bihu dance together in this event organized at the Sarusajai Stadium in the capital Guwahati.
Earlier it was to be held on 14 April. But it was done a day before. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be present at a function organized in Guwahati. The Guinness Book of Records certificate will be issued on April 14 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a conversation with reporters that during the Corona period, the organization of this biggest festival of the state was fading. Therefore, making it memorable, the government started preparations months in advance to register its name in the Guinness Book of World Records this year. For this, young men and women were selected from all over the state.
Sarma expressed hope that now Assam and its cultural heritage will get a new identity in the world. The government has announced to give 25-25 thousand rupees to the participants of this event.
what is bahaag or rangali bihu
By the way, in Assam this festival is organized three times during the year. But Bohag Bihu is the most important among them. During this, not only the people of the entire state, but also the trees, plants and mountains seem to come alive. Earlier this festival used to last for a whole month. But the emergency of life has now limited it to a week. During this one week, everything in the state becomes crazy. At that time the crops have been cut, it takes some time to start preparing for the new season. The time in between is celebrated as a festival.
Many games are also organized during this festival like bull fight, cock fight and egg game etc. The first day of Bihu is celebrated as Cow Bihu. On this day people take their cows to the river and bathe them in the morning. Soaked overnight urad dal and raw turmeric are used to bathe the cows. After that they are fed gourd and brinjal there. It is believed that by doing this the cows remain healthy throughout the year. In the evening, the cow is tied to its place with a new rope and mosquitoes and flies are driven away by burning trees and plants containing various medicines.
The second day is the day of wearing clean new clothes. On this day elders are respected and people take their blessings by touching their feet. Many people happily go to the homes of relatives and friends to greet the new year. The traditional Assamese Gamocha is considered a symbol of honour. On this day people cover each other with this towel.
During Bihu itself, young men and women also choose their favorite life partner and start their life afresh. This is the reason why most of the marriages in the state take place immediately after Bihu in the month of Vaishakh. During the time of Bihu, different types of games and shows are organized in the village.
History of Bihu
There is no clear mention of when Bihu first started. But it is believed that its organization started about three and a half thousand years before Christ. During Bihu, Bihu songs and dances are organized for seven days by making stages at various places in the state. People wear new clothes. There are holidays in government offices too.
Coconut, rice, sesame, milk are mainly used to make dishes in this festival celebrated to celebrate the harvesting of crops. During this time, to show love and respect, people also gift each other hand-woven pots. This festival usually starts from 14 April every year. Assamese New Year also starts from this day.
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During this week-long festival, boys and girls perform group dances on the stage made at various places. In Bihu both men and women dance in different formations. But despite this, rhythm and coordination are very important and wonderful in this dance. During this, the woman of Bihu is praised through songs. It is said in these that Vaishakh is not only a season, nor is it a month, but it is the lifeline of the Assamese race and the courage of the common people.
Bihu songs also have a deep impact on Assamese literature. Even Madhavdev and Sankardev, the translators of Ramayana, could not escape its effect. During Bihu, Bihu Kunwari or Bihu Sundari competition is also organized at various places in the state. In this, the person who dances better is honored. Even before the start of Bohag Bihu in Assam, the echo of Bihu songs from every house starts to appear in the air.
prime minister’s visit
On this historic occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also visit Assam on Friday. He will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of projects worth Rs 14,300 crore for the development of the area, besides participating in the Bihu dance event there. Modi will reach AIIMS Guwahati around 12 noon and will inspect its newly constructed campus. Later in a public function, he will dedicate AIIMS, Guwahati and three other medical colleges to the nation. After this, Prime Minister Shrimant Sankardev will attend the platinum jubilee celebrations of Gauhati High Court at Kalakshetra.
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On the same day in the evening, he will reach Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati to preside over a public function, where he will witness a colorful Bihu program performed by more than ten thousand artists/Bihu dancers. During the event, he will lay the foundation stone of various development projects including commissioning of 500 TPD Menthol Plant at Namrup, laying the foundation stone of a bridge over the Brahmaputra river to connect Palasbari and Sualkuchi, and dedicate five rail projects to the nation.