Bathow Puja - The Sacred Annual Festival Of The Bodo And Kachari People

Bathow Puja, also known as Bathow Utsav, is a major annual religious festival celebrated by the Bodo and Kachari communities of Assam. The festival is dedicated to Bathow Bwrai, the supreme deity of the Bodos, who is revered as a folk form of Lord Shiva. Rich in spiritual meaning and ancestral reverence, Bathow Puja reflects the community's deep connection to nature and their ancient tribal beliefs.

Sacred Symbolism of the Sijou Plant

At the heart of Bathow Puja lies the Sijou plant (Euphorbia splendens), worshipped as a living embodiment of Bathow Bwrai. Planted in a purified space and fenced with bamboo, this plant serves as the spiritual altar. Rituals are led by the Douri (priest) and Doudini (priestess), involving offerings like rice beer, flowers, and animal sacrifices (such as pigeons or goats), accompanied by sacred chants.

Etymology and Religious Beliefs

The word “Bathow” originates from ‘Ba’ (five) and ‘Thow’ (elements), symbolizing the Bodo belief in the five natural elements. The Bodos consider Lord Shiva as their ancestral deity, and Bathow as a representation of that divine form. Worship practices are deeply rooted in nature worship and ancestral homage.

Ritual Offerings and Worship Practices

The worship space features banana leaves on which offerings like betel leaves, areca nuts, bananas, incense sticks, and wicks are placed. These are dedicated to Bathow Maharaja and Ai Kamakhya (also known as Khouriya Bourai and Buri). Additional offerings are made for other deities associated with Kherai rituals.

Animal sacrifices include pigs, goats, and fowls.
Blood, heads, and cooked meat are used as offerings.
All deity meals must exclude salt, turmeric, oil, and spices.

Other Deities in Bathow Worship

The festival includes honoring multiple associated deities:

Aileng – Bathow’s bodyguard, worshipped with fowl sacrifice and a warrior dance called Khafri Sipnai.
Agrang – Commander-in-chief, offered a male goat.
Khouila – Messenger deity, worshipped with a fowl.
Kazi – Minister deity, receives goat sacrifices.
Abla Khungur – A powerful manifestation of Bathow, offered a pig and country liquor.
Rajphuthor – Son of Bathow Maharaja.
Rajkhandra – Granddaughter deity.
Songraja & Songraji – Divine couple representing cosmic power.

The Role of the Deodhani (Oracle Priestess)

The Deodhani is a possessed woman who acts as a medium for Bathow during the festival. Guided by chants from the Dewri (head priest), she performs ritual dances and prophetic acts before the Braibathow (sacred Sijou plant), symbolizing divine communication.

Mythology and Legends

According to folklore, Khontha-Thawrai, a celestial being, created Bathow to protect the Bodo people and guide their way of life. He descended from the sky in a golden chariot and taught them vital survival skills like farming, fishing, and hunting. Bathow is thus viewed as the guardian of the skies, mountains, and the Bodo tribe.

Philosophy of Bathow Worship

The Bathow faith combines elements of animism, nature worship, ancestor veneration, and Hindu beliefs. Bathow is believed to dwell in rivers, mountains, trees, and celestial bodies. Communication with the deity is believed to occur through dreams, visions, and ritual invocations.

Visual Representation of Bathow Bwrai

Bathow is depicted as a handsome tribal deity wearing traditional Bodo attire, holding a bamboo staff, adorned with a leaf crown, and armed with bows and arrows. A bunch of paddy stalks in his hand symbolizes fertility and prosperity. His eyes are seen as the sun and the moon, symbolizing universal vision.

Cultural and Community Significance

More than a religious event, Bathow Puja is a powerful expression of Bodo cultural identity. It is celebrated with folk dances, traditional songs, and ceremonial attire. The community decorates homes and temples, offering prayers for abundant harvests, peace, and spiritual protection.

When is Bathow Puja Celebrated?

Bathow Puja is primarily observed in the months of January and February, spanning several days of community rituals and celebrations. It is especially popular in districts like Kokrajhar, Udalguri, Baksa, and other Bodo-majority regions of Assam. It's performed according to traditional customs, often during the harvest season or on special occasions. While it's not tied to a specific date, it's generally observed in Jul-Aug.

Conclusion

Bathow Puja is not just a festival - it is a living tradition that honors the ancestral roots, divine beliefs, and tribal heritage of the Bodo-Kachari people. Through sacred rituals, offerings, and community participation, this annual puja continues to preserve the spiritual and cultural fabric of Assam’s indigenous Bodo society.

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Bathow Puja

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