Guwahati, 13th April: Assam commenced its week-long celebration of Rongali Bihu on Saturday, April 13, with the observance of Goru Bihu, a day dedicated to honoring livestock.
Primarily observed by rural residents, Goru Bihu marks the initiation of the seven-day-long Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu festival. Falling on the last day of the Assamese calendar month of Chot, it precedes the beginning of Bohag, the first month.
On Goru Bihu, special rituals are performed to pay homage to livestock, especially cattle. Owners take their cattle to nearby rivers or ponds for a cleansing bath, followed by the application of a paste made from black lentils and fresh turmeric.
To ensure the well-being of the animals and ward off pests, leaves of dighalati (litsea salicifolia) and makhioti (flemingia strobilifera) are applied to their skin. Additionally, the cattle are fed a nutritious mix of local vegetables like bottle gourd and eggplant to promote their health.
As part of the tradition, old tethering ropes are replaced with new ones on Goru Bihu. Reports of Goru Bihu celebrations flooded in from various parts of the state, with farmers diligently performing rituals to bathe their cows in accordance with time-honored customs.
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