Assamese people residing in Pune witnessed a wonderful evening on Saturday, with the celebration of Bhogali or Magh Bihu at the beautiful and natural environment of Bombay Sappers. It was organized by ASOMI, the Assamese diaspora of Pune.
Also read: Magh Bihu Delicacies : This is how Assamese people celebrate Magh Bihu
Celebrated in mid-January, the day of Magh Bihu, the traditional festival of Assam, it is the time when winter goes towards the way of spring season. The eve of the two months is called ‘sankranti’ and this time is very important for the festival of Bihu.
During Magh Bihu, ‘uruka’ the night before the Magh Bihu has great importance. People use to make different food items like pitha (cake made of flour of rice), doi (curds), chira (dry rice), fish, meat, etc as well as they are prepared for the prayer to the god.
It is a time to reinstate the feeling of belongingness in a land away from home. The Assamese community in Pune also celebrates Bhogali Bihu that marks the end of the harvesting season and signifies plenitude.
On the cold evening of Saturday, people gathered at mesmerizing Sylhet Mess, BEG in Pune. The function was inaugurated with lighting of the lamp and Assamese Jatiya Sangeet– ‘O mur apunaar Dex’.
Various activities were carried out like drawing competition for kids, various sports, antakshri and beautiful Assamese songs. One of the main attractions of the event was organizing a lottery where the first prize was a country chicken.
Other ethnic food items were also put up as prizes.
At the end, there was a cultural component to help people unwind followed by a lavish feast various non-vegetarian delicacies prepared in Assamese style.