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Happy Magh Bihu

Meji- The holy fire 
With a mixed feeling happy Magh Bihu all. Last day in Assam trip. We are leaving home, Assam tomorrow on the day of Magh Bihu. I almost feel like a five-year-old little girl who refuses to go to school. I refuse to leave Assam. It's always difficult for me to decide what makes me so sad - my parents, brother, family, and friends or those familiar sights I grew up with.
                                     Masor Tenga (Assamese sour fish curry)

Magh Bihu, the most fun, food and frolic festival of Assam. It's all about enjoying food with friends and family after the successful harvest. It usually falls in the 2nd week of January. If you read my blog, you might know there are three Bihus in Assam. Magh Bihu is the one celebration where it's about eating and enjoyment, and that is the reason it's also called Bhugali Bihu. Bhug means enjoying and eating. The day before Magh Bihu is called Uruka. On this day friends and family get together for community dinner. Food consists of fish chicken, duck, thick black gram, fried yam. With the changing time, our traditions change. As Magh Bihu is a typical harvest festival, traditionally young man or farmers build a makeshift cottage call Bhelaghar and also a Meji with hay and wood. On the day of Bihu, Maji is lighted there is a folk belief that with the Maji you burn the cold and are ready to welcome the spring. Bullfights and egg fights are also performed during this fun-filled Bihu time. Making and sharing  pitha and sweets is an essential part of Magh Bihu
                                      Laru- Coconut and sesame sweet balls

I have so many wonderful memories of Magh Bihu with my family and friends. Lucky to witness the Magh Bihu in Assam with my family. With this beautiful note bidding adieu to Assam until next time with all the wonderful memories in my heart.




The modern-day bhelaghar 

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