Magh Bihu,Assam

Bihu is the national festival of Assam. It is the biggest festival that Assam celebrates which brings a sense of solidarity and unity among the people.It comes thrice a year and marks the changes in the seasons.The assamese people celebrate 3types of Bihu's. The Bihu festival signifies a celebration of farming, especially paddy. Rongali Bihu marks the beginning of sowing of seeds, the Kati Bihu marks the completion of sowing and transplantation of the saplings and finally Magh Bihu marks the advent of the harvest period.Bohag Bihu, is celebrated in mid-April, the Magh Bihu, held in mid-January, and the Kati Bihu is celebrated in mid-October. The three are connected with the spring, winter and autumn seasons respectively.

Bhogali Bihu is celebrated in mid of January, on the first day of 'Magh' month of Assamese Calendar.The celebrations of Bhogali bihu starts one day before the actual day, i.e., on the last day of the month 'Puh'. On this eve, people build 'Meji', a structure made of wood or tree leaves, that is to be burnt on the actual Bihu day. This Meji is guarded whole day night by all the people of the village. To stay for the night, people build temporary houses called 'Bhela Ghar'. These houses are usually made up of hay. There used to be grand feasts for the people staying in the bhela ghar that night. The feast is called 'Bhoj'. Even if you are not staying in Bhela ghar,few families cook together and share the dinner. 

On the actual day of Magh Bihu, everyone takes bath at the dawn itself and proceed to the meji. The Meji is lit up by one old member of the society or village. All the villagers get together in the Meji and complete many rituals. Various types edibles like coconut, betel nut, etc. are worshiped to the Meji, i.e., to the Hindu God of Fire (Agni Devta). Various types of potatoes, mitha aloo, muwa aloo, etc. are roasted in the large fire of meji and everyone eats from children to old people eat it. Youths also enjoy with cracker like thing made of bamboo called 'Hiloi'. Magh Bihu is celebrated at a season when winter is about to go. It is believed that the fire of Meji burns the winter out! 

Its like just yesterday, when as kids we used to visit our grandparents house every Bihu and celebrate it with them.We tried to make "Meji"(all cousins together). But the main attraction was the village meji, which was very huge and our uncles and elders of the village used to make. But we had to bath before lighting it(that was the worst part).Its very cold in January and you have to bath at around 4-4.30am to burn or go near the meji. 

Various types of snacks are made and every Assamese lady try to make some traditional snack on Bihu. Though we may not stay in Assam during Bihu, but all Assamese people celebrate it same enthusiasm all over the world. Even in Kuwait we celebrated it with lot of passion and fervor though the weather was gloomy and drizzling. Ladies made so many snacks that when my sisters and cousins saw the pictures in Facebook, they said they didn't make half of what we all made.We did all what we do in Assam but only "meji" was missing.

Like all other Bihu, Magh Bihu also has the ritual of showing respect the the elder one with Gamosa. 

But the celebrations don't just stop here. There are various types of traditional sports where from children to old people participate. Amng them, the most popular one is egg-fight. It is played across assam in evry corner from villages to towns. There are some traditional sports involving pets, animals etc. These sports are now localized to some places now a days. The most thrilling among them is the Buffalo-fight. Another popular one is bird-fight. The birds may vary from cock, hen to nightingale etc. Even in Kuwait we organised lot of games for old and young.  

Pictures of Bihu celebration in Kuwait will follow in the next post. 

Back from home Assam

Have returned from my dear dear  Assam just few days ago. As usual it was our one and half month stay at home. Is really feeling home sick after reaching Kuwait. Mehr too enjoyed her vacation and has been missing her grandparents, aunts and uncle. But it was nice to be part of the Diwali celebration both of our building and Assam Association.
It was Durga puja time and we thoroughly enoyed our stay.This time we didnt travel much....was at GUWAHATI and NAGAON.....and few days at DELHI.  We stayed for 4days at Delhi and just moved around as we didn't have anything much to do. It was terribly hot in Assam, something which happened for the first time (till last year October is a pleasant month in Assam). But it was very pleasant in Delhi.
Will be writing about the places in  details soon.

Shradhanjali Kanan Park, Guwahati

When it’s time for us to go home, granny, grandpa, aunties of Mehr make a list of places to take her. From the day we landed at Guwahati, we had been hearing about the newly constructed park infornt of Zoo on the R.G.Barua Road. Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi on October11, 2010 inaugurated this sprawling park-Shradhanjali Kanan Park. The Rs 8.73-crore park – developed by the GMDA with support from the Guwahati Development Department – is a multi-facility recreational ground spread over 23 bighas.

After getting so much feed back from people at home, one day we landed at the park. But to say the truth, we were not at all impressed. Maybe because it was then very recently opened and lot of work was to be completed. The plants planted were very small and maybe after it blooms it will look beautiful. No doubt it had some features which include laser and musical fountains, water fountains, facilities for children’s games, yoga, an amphitheatre, restaurant, walkway, decorated water bodies. From some empty rooms/ house that we saw, I think there will be a restaurant within the park. But the best thing is the amphitheatre where open air concert can take place. My sis and brother-in-law attended a musical delight and thoroughly enjoyed it. For detail information on the programme, you can check

http://aiyushmandutta.wordpress.com/2011/04/

No doubt, it will be a great place for people of Guwahati to take a walk or have some fresh air, which otherwise is becoming difficult in the hap-hazard growing Guwahati. 

Parks, recreational places has always been lovers den and this park is no doubt different. But what made me and my husband uncomfortable was the brazenly show of love in the park which is visited by kids, adults and old. Infact, that day few schools had brought their kids for picnic. Infront of so many people how shamelessly the lovers were behaving, made me think whether we have forgotten our culture? Infact I wrote an open letter to the authorities of the park, in a reputed newspaper, but I am not sure whether any actions were taken against such immoral behavior.

We need parks but care should be taken that no immoral action takes place in such public place.

Some pictures of the park when we visited it on Dec 2010…. 

 

Shyam Mandir in Pictures(2)

Here are few pictures of the unique temple.....

Shyam Mandir,Narengi,Guwahati

Have you heard of a temple which is open to people of all communities? Where people irrespective of their class, creed and religion can go and pray. Yes, there is such a temple in ASSAM. It is Shyam Mandir, basically a temple of Lord Krishna( VISHNU), situated in a small hillock in Narengi area of Guwahati. The temple is a part of Indian Carbon Office Complex at Narengi. The owner of Indian Carbon, Late Prabhudayal Himatsingka built it. You will find his statue in the middle of the mandir premises. Lot of devotees throngs the temple and its main attraction is the evening aarti. Visitors are charmed and captivated by the well maintain garden of the complex; and a statue of Hanuman, Nandi and a Shiv Linga in the mandir complex. As you enter the temple, you will see a beautiful idol of Lord Krishna(which is the main idol), to his right is Shri Krishna –Radha’s statue and to the left is the staute of Ram/Laxman /Sita. The temple is built in such an area that it gives tranquility and peace of mind to every visitor. But one should be aware that the road to the mandir is not approachable to people who travel by public transport-bus, auto, tracker. It is a long walk across the bridge. Only if you travel by your private car, the journey will be smooth; otherwise be prepared to walk few miles.

Some construction of the road was going on when we last visited it. Hope it is over by now and people don’t have to walk long distance to reach the temple.

Greenwood Resort,Guwahati,Assam

“Greenwood Resort “…..Your gateway to a world of fun amidst nature.

Just at the outskirts of the Guwahati city,  at Khanapara area, it’s the perfect place to unwind yourself from the hectic work schedule of the week. A perfect place to enjoy your weekend, celebrate your kids birthday, your anniversary, your or your hubby’s birthday party. It’s not only for private parties but companies too can organize their yearly party’s here. We used to visit it often during our courtship period and also after marriage. But slowly visits became less as we shifted to Kuwait. During our last visit to home, we visited it along with my sister and brother-in-law.

When I look back, I really feel very happy at the development of the resort. Started in 2002 as a dhaba, it has became a very beautiful weekend break destination. The resort has grown many folded…villas or condo’s are available now. And you will surely be impressed by the cleanliness of the condos. There are 36 duplex cottages and only 1 building has 4 condos/cottages which are independent.The park for kids is full with kids play items and the bigger park is full with greenery and is artistically planned and implemented. The swimming pool is a hit among the visitors. You can just splash around or simply relax in the pool. There is also a separate kid’s pool which allows children to enjoy themselves under adult supervision. And you will get to see how our mekhla chadars are made in their workshop and even buy them. Be assured to be greeted by friendly and courteous staff every time you visit it. You can discover nature as you walk with your kids to the park or simply explore the 20 acres of green slopes and hilly terrain. This mountain resort gives its guest the peace, unmatched beauty and modern living in the lap of nature. Your visit is incomplete if you don’t buy some freshly baked biscuits from their confectionary shop to have with your morning and evening tea.

You will get all information about the resort….its location, room tariffs, facilities etc in their website www.greenwoodresort.in


I remember meeting the owner of this beautiful resort, a Khasi lady, years ago during our courtship visits. But it was during our recent visit only I came to know that this Khasi lady Mrs Abha Bora is married to an Assamese gentleman who died years ago. She has  a daughter call Sumi, who completed her Hotel Management and her son Hemraj Bora who looks after the activities of the tastefully decorated resort.

A "must visit" place if you are in Guwahati.