Kati Bihu, also known as Kongali Bihu, is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam, India. It usually takes place in mid-October and marks the end of the paddy harvest. Unlike the other Bihu festivals, which are marked by feasting and merriment, Kati Bihu is a quieter and more somber occasion.
During Kati Bihu, people light “Sati” or earthen lamps around their fields and homes to ward off evil spirits and ensure a good harvest in the future. It’s a time for farmers to thank the earth and seek blessings for the prosperity of the crops.
Kati or Kongali Bihu has a different flavor as there is less merriment and the atmosphere has a sense of constrain and solemnity. People worship the deities for a rich harvest; it is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi who is the dispenser of wealth to mortals. Kati Bihu marks the completion of the sowing and transplanting of paddies. In the evenings, offerings are made to the Tulsi plant. Little earthen lamps (Diyas) are lighted at its feet and puja rituals are offered to God for improvement in crops and their yield. The significance of this Bihu is more in the villages, where farmers go to their respective fields and light "Akash-Banti" or sky-lamp on the tip of a bamboo pole to show the souls of the dead the way to heaven. Sacred to the Hindus, the tulsi (basil) tree is planted or pruned in the courtyard of each household and for the whole Assamese month of Kati, people worship the Tulsi plant with an earthen lamp.
The celebration of Kati Bihu in Assam involves several unique customs and rituals that reflect its significance as a harvest festival. Here’s a detailed look at how Kati Bihu is celebrated:
1. Lighting Lamps:
-
Sati (Earthen Lamps): One of the main rituals is the lighting of traditional earthen lamps, known as “Sati,” around homes, fields, and near sacred plants like the Tulsi plant. These lamps are lit in the evening to drive away evil spirits and ensure a good harvest in the coming season.
-
Bhuni Ghar: In some villages, people create a small temporary altar called “Bhuni Ghar” and place lamps there as part of the ritual.
2. Worship and Offerings:
-
Prayers: People offer prayers to deities and perform rituals to seek blessings for the crops and the well-being of the community.
-
Offering Food: Traditional offerings like pithas (rice cakes) and local sweets may be made to the deities and ancestors.
3. Festive Foods:
-
Traditional Dishes: Though Kati Bihu is less about feasting compared to other Bihu festivals, simple and traditional foods like “Xaj Pitha” (rice cakes) and “Khar” (a type of curry) may be prepared.
-
Simple Meals: The food during Kati Bihu is generally simple, reflecting the solemnity of the occasion.
4. Community Gatherings:
-
Local Festivals: There may be community gatherings and local events that focus on the agricultural aspect of the festival.
-
Storytelling: Elders might tell stories and share folklore related to Bihu and the harvest.
5. Preparation for the Future:
-
Field Visits: Farmers visit their fields and check on the progress of the crops.
-
Agricultural Preparations: It is also a time for preparing the fields for future cultivation.
6. Traditional Practices:
-
Rituals: Rituals such as tying a thread around the main paddy stalk and hanging a bamboo pole with offerings might be performed.
-
Community Rituals: Some communities engage in traditional ceremonies to bless the paddy fields and ensure future prosperity.
7. Cultural Activities:
-
Songs and Dance: Although not as prominent as during Rongali Bihu, there may still be folk songs and dances that celebrate the agricultural life and the changing seasons.
Kati Bihu is a time of reflection and gratitude, with a focus on the well-being of the crops and the land. It’s a quieter and more introspective celebration compared to the other Bihu festivals.