The President, Vice President and Prime Minister have greeted the people on the occasion of Baishkhi, Vishu and Rongali Bihu.
Baisakhi celebrations are on in many Northern states especially in Punjab. Farmers are jubilant as their crop is ready to give them dividend. Religious functions are going on in Gurdwaras to celebrate the founding of Khalsa Panth on Baisakhi in 1699.
Air correspondent reports, happiness is all around especially in villages where the hard work of our farming community has borne the fruit. Farmers are admiring golden coloured wheat crop standing in their farms.
Baisakhi is not merely a start of new season but is also a celebration of the Khalsa’s birthday as it was on this day in 1699 the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh ji founded the Khalsa Panth at Anandpur Sahib.
Besides all Gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and J&K, religious functions are on at Gurdwara in Anandpur Sahib and at Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo where Guru Gobind Singh had compiled Adi Granth.
People belonging to all faiths are paying obeisance and partaking ‘langar’ from community kitchens run by devotees and Gurdwaras.
Meanwhile, on this pious occasion, Punjab Govt. has also announced to grant remission of sentence, from one year to two months, to those inmates who have been convicted by the criminal courts in the state but not to those who had been convicted in heinous crimes.
In Assam, the stage is all set to celebrate Rongali or Bohaag Bihu across the state. It marks the beginning of New Year at the advent of seeding time. Today is Goru Bihu(cow bihu).People are queuing up to wash and worship their cows in river and pond from morning. New ropes are also tied to cows.
Tomorrow is the Manuh Bihu(Human Bihu).The day begins with the young seeking the blessings of the elders. Also, Elder people offer Gamosha (traditional shawl) as Bihuwan (Bihu gift) to the family members along with other gifts. Husori troupes will visit house to house to perform Bihu dance.
Meanwhile, over four hundreds of Bihutolis (community Bihu pandals) have been set -up in various places of the state with three to four -day programmes. Bihu dance competitions along with cultural programmes,rural sports will be organized.
Performing Bihu dance by young women, wearing Muga attire and decorated with Kapou(coastal flower )and traditional ornaments, is truly a unforgettable moments for many people.
Also over three hundred artists are ready to enthrall the audience in Bihu stage. The selling of clothes, Gamosha ,flatten rice,jaggery, curd and varieties of Assam dishes have already been increased .Governor J.B Patnaik, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta among others extended Bihu greetings to all sections of people.
Baisakhi melas are also being organized to exhibit the local agricultural and handloom products.
In Guwahati city alone – over a hundred Bihu pandals have been erected. Today is the last day of the Chaitra month of the Assamese calendar. The day is celebrated as the Goru or cattle Bihu. On this day people worship cows and other demosticated animals and take them to ponds and rivers for a bath.
On Friday, the first day of the Assamese New Year Bohaag will be observed as the manuh (Man) Bihu. On this day, the younger generation respects the elders and exchange Bihuwans, gifts and good wishes among themselves. People also visit temples to offer prayers.
Alround merry-making mark this festival. Faat Bihu and Jeng Bihu are other forms of the Rongali Bihu where young men and women participate. Bodo-Kachari tribes of the State celebrate it as ‘Baisago’. (AIR)
