Kati Bihu is celebrated by the Assamese people on the first day of the ‘Kati’ month, usually in October. It signifies the start of the new harvest season and involves rituals, penance, and hopes for a better future. Although the holiday is celebrated across Assam, each tribe has its own traditions and understanding of the day.
Kati Bihu is a significant festival for the Assamese people, along with Bhogali Bihu and Rongali Bihu. During this festival, people light clay lamps outside their homes and decorate the holy basil plant with lights and garlands.
This tradition originates from ancient festivals where lanterns in the paddy fields were used to attract insects and serve as a natural pesticide. Saaki, a traditional lantern, is placed on baboon sticks to guide the way to the ancestor’s house.
How to Celebrate Kati Bihu festival
During the Kati Bihu festival in 2023, a plant is cleaned and placed on an earthen platform called a “Tulsi Bheti” to honor the goddess Tulsi and ensure a prosperous harvest for the family. This ritual continues throughout the month of Kati, and various parts of the home are illuminated with lights or candles to celebrate the festival. The main lamp is lit near the Tulsi plant in the courtyard.
During the Kati Bihu festival farmers light special lamps (Akaxh Banti) on tall bamboo poles in the paddy fields. This festival is referred to as the “Poor” or “Kongali” because it is a time of year when there is not much food available. These lamps serve a practical purpose of attracting insects to the flame, which helps protect the crops, but they are also believed to guide ancestors to heaven.
History Of Kati Bihu
In the northeastern Indian state of Assam, there is a special event known as Katti Bihu, often referred to as Kunjali Bihu. It usually occurs in mid-October and has a majestic atmosphere. Since the festival revolves around the restrictions of the month, there is little celebration among those who are just watching. Although it is one of the most important national holidays, the spirit of the holiday is not celebratory. Instead, he remembers the previous year’s event.
In Assam, October marks the beginning of the planting season. Empty granaries and newly planted paddy fields are symbols of the word ‘kangal‘, which means ‘broken’ in Hindi.
Why is Kati Bihu festival special?
- It shows respect and appreciation for the natural world.
- Kati Bihu is a special celebration and during this time, we thank nature for giving us yummy food and warm sunlight that helps us stay healthy.
- It’s also a time when we can start planting seeds for the next year’s harvest. Then, in April, we can pick the fruits and enjoy them!
- It helps us remember to appreciate and be thankful for things. Having lots of places to store food and lots of fertile fields is easy and fast.
- When it’s time to plant new crops, it’s a good time to appreciate nature and get excited about the food we will have in the future.
- Kati Bihu is a special celebration where we remember our history and how important the earth is for our food.
- People in Assam take a break from work to visit their relatives and have meals together. On this day, we honor our ancestors by bringing the food we grow from our fields to our homes.
Kati Bihu Wishes
- Wishing you a bright future full of love and luck. May all your dreams come true. Happy Kati Bihu to you.
- Let’s celebrate the new harvest season with love and good wishes. Happy Kati Bihu, everyone.
- Sending you and your family lots of good wishes on Kati Bihu! This special day can bring you lots of happiness and make you feel excited about your dreams and goals.
- On this special Kati Bihu festival, let’s focus on our dreams and be positive about what’s to come. I hope good things happen for you in the future. Happy Kati Bihu.
- Let us all take a pledge to remove the negativity that surrounds us and move forward with hope and courage. Happy Kati Bihu.
- It’s time to bring out the candles and have a family dinner and party with our loved ones. Kati Bihu greetings to you.
- As we light the lamps outside our homes, here’s praying that your life is also lit up with new dreams and achievements. Happy Kati Bihu to you.
- This is the time for the relocation of rice saplings. Here’s hoping the new harvest season ushers in joy and prosperity in your life. A very happy Kati Bihu.
