Visit Manas National Park during the Bihu Festival
By JAGAT [23-May-24] Visiting Assam, there are so many things to admire and celebrate in this state. Culture, religion, tradition, cuisines, nature and wildlife, all contribute to the vibrant embellishment of Assam. While the Kamakhya Temple is the most famous and spiritual landmark of Assam, there are numerous hidden gems tucked in the state that exude a jaw-dropping experience to tourists. A significant part of Assam serves as the conservation area for the endangered Indian one-horned rhinoceros, inhabiting popular national parks like Manas, Kaziranga and Pobitora. Not only one-horned rhinoceros, but these national parks also provide shelter to several other fauna and avifauna species - elephants, leopards, tigers, swamp deer, giant hornbills, fishing eagles, pelicans, to name a few.
Assam is renowned for its vibrant festivals, reflecting the state's rich cultural diversity and strong sense of unity. Celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm, these festivals occur at various times throughout the year. The festive season in Assam is marked by a heightened spiritual energy and a visible joy among the participants. Assam's festivals can be categorized into three main types: agricultural, folk, and religious. Among these, the Bihu festival stands out as the most popular and widely celebrated.
Admiring Wildlife at Manas While Celebrating the Zeal of Bihu
Bihu is the most renowned festival in Assam, celebrated in three distinct forms throughout the year: Bohag Bihu, Magh Bihu, and Kati Bihu. As a harvest festival, it is a time when people express their gratitude to the god Brai Shibrai. The Assamese community believes that Bihu brings peace and prosperity, making it a central and cherished part of their cultural heritage. Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu or Baishagu (in Bodo) is celebrated in the month of April, the last month of peak season in Manas National Park. Search for How to plan a Manas tour, if planning to witness the Bihu festival.
The event of the Bihu festival in Manas National Park is usually hosted by the nearby Bodo community. The Bodo tribes are predominantly renowned as a community of immense cultural richness are are also known to be the earliest immigrants in Assam. These tribes living around Manas are dependent on its forest for their livelihood. Attending a Bihu festival fair, you will get to shop from the local stalls that showcase their handicraft products like Mekhla Chador, Dhokhonas, etc. The people of the Bodo community are one of the finest weavers in the entire Northeast region. They also have notable efficiency in bamboo crafting, carving different arts and crafts from bamboo. Craftsmanship and weaving are among the primary occupations of the Bodos.
The best time to visit Manas is from November to April. The weather in Assam remains pleasant, hence make the jeep and elephant safari experience a memorable one. Book your safaris well in advance and enjoy the fabulous combination of wildlife and culture blending together. Enjoy a mesmerising jeep safari early in the morning, and then match your steps with the tribal people in their popular Bihu dance. The tribals bathing their cattle to prepare for the Bihu rituals and seeking blessings from the elderly are all part of this enthusiastic festival.
If you want to delve deep into the festivities of Bihu, make a tour plan of 7 days, as the festival lasts for a week. The 7-day festivities of Bihu include Chot, Kutum, Mela, Raati, Goru, Manuh and Chera. Each day brings in a different set of rituals. People buy and wear new dresses, exchange gifts and so on to mark the celebration of their revered festival.
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