| Kati Bihu Kongali Bihu | |
|---|---|
 Earthen lamps lit under the Tulsi plant during Kati Bihu to welcome Lakshmi | |
| Observed by | Assamese people |
| Type | Agrarian folk festival |
| Celebrations | Lighting lamps under theTulsi plant, placing lamps in fields, worshipping Lakshmi, lighting sky lanterns |
| Date | Sankranti of Ahin-Kati month |
Kati Bihu (mid-October, also calledKongali Bihu) has a different flavor as there is less merriment and the atmosphere has a sense of constraining and solemnity. During this time of the year, the paddy in the fields are in the growing stage and the granaries of the farmers are almost empty. On this day, earthen lamps (saki) are lit at the foot of the householdtulsi plant, the granary, the garden (bari) and the paddy fields.[1]
In ancient times, earthen lamps were lit all around the paddy fields to attract the insects, thus acting as a natural insecticide. To protect the maturing paddy, cultivators whirl a piece of bamboo and reciterowa-khowa chants and spells to ward off pests and the evil eye. During the evening, cattle are fed specially made rice items calledpitha. Kati Bihu is known asKati Gasa by theBodo people andGathi Sainjora by theDimasa people. TheBodo people light lamps at the foot of thesiju (Euphorbia neriifolia) tree. This Bihu is also associated with the lighting ofakaxi gonga orakaxbonti, lamps at the tip of a tall bamboo pole, to show the souls of the dead the way to heaven, a practice that is common to many communities inIndia, as well as Asia and Europe.Kati bihu is generally celebrated around 19 October, as it is almost mid-October.[2]
