GUWAHATI: People across Assam celebrated Bhogali or Magh Bihu, the harvest festival of the State with much fanfare on Thursday. After the Uruka feast on Wednesday night, people lit ‘meji’s — the traditional hut-like bonfire made with wood and stray on Thursday morning. They prayed for peace and wellbeing of their families and loved ones besides thanking the almighty for a bountiful harvest.
People had community breakfasts with Bihu delicacies like laru-pitha, doi-sira besides paying visits to friends, relatives and near and dear ones.
Meanwhile President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Finance, Health and PWD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with other political leaders also wished the people on the occasion of Bhogali Bihu.
Greetings and best wishes to fellow citizens on the occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bhogali Bihu, Uttarayan and Paush parva. May these festivals strengthen the bond of love, affection and harmony in our society and increase prosperity and happiness in the country.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 13, 2021
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, “Magh Bihu wishes to everyone. May the coming times be filled with happiness. With the blessings of Almighty may there be brotherhood and wellness all around.”
Magh Bihu wishes to everyone. May the coming times be filled with happiness. With the blessings of Almighty may there be brotherhood and wellness all around.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 14, 2021
The prime minister also tweeted in Assamese.
সকলোলৈকে মাঘ বিহুৰ শুভেচ্ছা জনাইছো। অনাগত সময়বোৰ আনন্দেৰে ভৰি পৰক। ঈশ্বৰৰ আশীৰ্বাদত চৌদিশে ভাতৃত্ববোধ আৰু কল্যাণ বিৰাজ কৰক।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 14, 2021
“I extend my heartfelt greetings to people of Assam on Magh Bihu. May Maa Kamakhya bless everyone’s lives with happiness, joy and prosperity,” home minister Shah tweeted.
মাঘ বিহুৰ শুভক্ষণত অসমবাসীক মোৰ আন্তৰিক ওলগ জনালোঁ।
মা কামাখ্যাৰ আশীৰ্বাদে সকলোৰে জীৱন সুখ, আনন্দ আৰু সমৃদ্ধিৰে উপচাই তোলক, তাৰেই কামনা কৰিলোঁ। pic.twitter.com/PGQPPCOY3i
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 14, 2021
On the other hand, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal celebrated Magh Bihu at his home town—Dibrugarh. Observing the tradition, Sonowal lit the Meji, a thatch-and-bamboo structure which is consigned to flames early morning on the Bihu day as homage to Agni, the fire god.
CM Sonowal was joined by some of his colleagues and friends.
“Let the fire of Meji make an end of all the evils and bring new hopes, enthusiasm, joy, prosperity and good health the society,” Sonowal said.
