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Introduction
Location: Assam (celebrated across rural and urban regions)
Kati Bihu, also known as Kongali Bihu, is one of the three major Bihu festivals of Assam. Unlike the vibrant and joyous Bohag Bihu or the feasting and celebration of Magh Bihu, Kati Bihu is marked by simplicity, reflection, and prayers. Celebrated in mid-October during the Assamese month of Kati (or Kartik), it falls at a crucial point in the agricultural calendar—when the paddy fields are green, but the granaries are nearly empty. Hence, the festival is often associated with scarcity, spiritual devotion, and hope.
A Festival of Reflection and Rituals
Kati Bihu is deeply connected to the rhythm of agricultural life. At this time of the year, the paddy plants are still maturing, and farmers look toward nature for a good harvest. There are no grand feasts or elaborate celebrations during Kati Bihu. Instead, it is a time for introspection, spiritual connection, and prayer for a bountiful harvest.
The festival is centered around lighting earthen lamps (saki) in and around the home, particularly at the foot of the household tulsi (holy basil) plant, in the paddy fields, and on bamboo poles known as Akash Banti (sky lamps). These lights serve a dual purpose—they ward off evil spirits and insects from the crops, and they represent hope in the hearts of farmers waiting patiently for their fields to yield grains.
Symbolic Rituals of Kati Bihu
- Tulsi Worship: The tulsi plant, considered sacred in Hindu households, becomes the focal point during Kati Bihu. Lamps are lit at its base, and prayers are offered for family well-being and agricultural prosperity.
- Lighting of Akash Banti: Tall bamboo poles with oil lamps at the top are placed in the fields. These sky lamps are believed to show the way to departed souls and also serve to protect the crops from pests and unseen forces.
- Chanting of Mantras: Farmers walk around their fields in the evenings, lighting small lamps and chanting mantras to safeguard the young rice plants from evil eyes and natural calamities.
- Austerity and Minimalism: Unlike the other Bihus, no grand meals or dance performances are organized. The mood is quiet and contemplative, reflecting the lean agricultural period.
A Festival Rooted in Faith and Patience
Kati Bihu captures the very essence of a farmer’s life—uncertainty, dependence on nature, and unwavering faith. It is not just a festival, but a spiritual pause between the sowing season and the harvest. It reminds the community of the value of patience, of living in harmony with nature, and of the importance of prayers and ancestral wisdom in sustaining life.
Though modest in its outward form, Kati Bihu is rich in cultural and emotional significance. It is a solemn yet powerful reminder of Assam’s agrarian roots and the intimate relationship its people share with the land.
In a world that often celebrates only abundance, Kati Bihu honors the in-between moments—the waiting, the hoping, and the silent strength of the farmer.