Guwahati, 14th January: As Assam’s Magh Bihu festival approaches, the eve of Uruka witnesses a remarkable surge in fish markets across the state, especially in Guwahati.
From the early hours of January 14, a festive atmosphere engulfs the state as people flock to fish markets, showcasing their prized and heaviest catches for the grand Uruka feast ahead of Magh Bihu.
Deeply embedded in the traditions of the harvest festival, the preparation of an extravagant feast takes center stage in the celebrations. The city fish market becomes a focal point on Uruka Day, reflecting the immense demand for fresh produce and freshwater fish, essential components of the culinary practices during this festive occasion.
The markets transform into visual spectacles, teeming with the freshest vegetables and an abundance of fish – crucial ingredients for the feast. Business owners across Assam, whether vegetable growers, fishermen, or livestock farmers, strive to offer their finest produce on this special day.
The culinary essence of Assam’s harvest festival emphasizes the pivotal role of fish in the Uruka feast. Delicacies like roasted fish, fish cooked with seasonal vegetables, masor khorika (skewered fish), and patot diya mas (fish steamed in banana leaves) take center stage, creating a gastronomic delight for the community. These, coupled with dishes like dal cooked with vegetables, torkari or labra, and various types of pitha, make the Uruka feast a time for families and communities to come together, sharing meals and celebrating the culmination of the harvesting season.
Uruka is a moment when the community unites to revel in the harvest’s bounty, with fish playing a pivotal role in the feasts that mark this joyous occasion.