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Bihu 2025: As per Drik Panchang, this year’s Magh Bihu will be celebrated on January 15. The Sankranti Shubh Muhurat for Magh Bihu is at 9:03 am on January 14.
Assam celebrates Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu with great fanfare. (Image: Shutterstock)
Magh Bihu 2025: The harvest season is surely one of the most joyful times for farmers, as they finally receive the rewards of their labour after months of hard work. In Assam, the harvest season concludes with a spectacular celebration known as Magh Bihu. This joyous occasion also acts as a cultural spectacle, highlighting Assam’s traditions and customs, bringing communities together, and instilling a sense of solidarity and appreciation for the plentiful crop.
Furthermore, the harvesting season comes to an end on Magh Bihu, which falls in the first month of the year and is sometimes referred to as Bhogali Bihu or Maghor Bihu. Magh Bihu is observed on the first day of Magh month, according to the Bengali Panjika.
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The celebration, known as Magh Bihu in Assam, is also known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab, and Makar Sankranti in northern India.
When is Bhogali Bihu?
As per Drik Panchang, this year’s Magh Bihu will be observed on Wednesday, January 15. The Sankranti Shubh Muhurat for Magh Bihu is scheduled for January 14 at 9:03 am.
In addition, the date of Magh Bihu varies from year to year according to the lunar calendar.
Magh Bihu 2025: History And Significance
Bihu’s history goes back to 3500 BC when people made fire sacrifices to increase their harvests. Meanwhile, Bihu is derived from the words ‘Bishu’ meaning ‘to seek tranquillity’ and ‘Bhog’ meaning ‘eating’. The festival stresses community food sharing. The Dimasa Kacharis tribe is thought to be the festival’s first known forefathers.
Magh Bihu is important in agriculture and society because it marks the beginning of a new harvest and the renewal of friendship and fraternity. The celebration is based on Assamese agricultural customs and takes place in the month of Magh, which is January.
While the agricultural significance of the festival is that it marks the conclusion of the harvesting season, celebrates fresh produce, and expresses gratitude to the ancestors and Gods for a bountiful harvest, the social relevance is that it brings communities together to celebrate.
As a symbol of the end of the old and the beginning of the new, people create a makeshift cottage called Bhelaghar, cook traditional Assamese food and sweets, join in traditional pastimes, feast on the new yield, and construct Meiji, which is burned.
Magh Bihu 2025: Rituals of Assam’s Harvest Festival
Magh Bihu is held over two days.
The first day is called Uruka or Bihu Eve. During this period, young men walk to the field to construct improvised homes called ‘Bhelaghar’, preferably near a river.
The cottages are made out of hay from the harvest fields. They also build a Meiji (bonfire), which is burned on Uruka as they sing Bihu songs, beat Dhol, and celebrate with their loved ones.
The following day, the main Magh Bihu is observed. In addition to playing traditional Assamese activities like buffalo fighting and Tekeli Bonga (pot-breaking), people take a bath early in the morning.
There are egg fights and cock fights. Additionally, people distribute rice cakes to their neighbours, acquaintances, and family. They also make laru, a dessert made from coconut. The laddoo is made with coconut, sesame, and murmura, or puffed rice.
During the two-day festival, people give thanks to their ancestors and the agricultural God for a good life and a plentiful harvest.